Kiera Jefferson
Human activity has been the main driver of extinction since the 16th century, with at least 680 vertebrate species driven to extinction in that time. Pollution, climate change, and deforestation are the main causes of this crisis. According to the UN, plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, with 300-400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and other industrial wastes dumped into the world's waters annually. This has had a devastating impact on marine life, with over one million marine animals killed by plastic pollution each year. Climate change is also a significant factor, with rising temperatures forcing species to adapt or move, leading to a loss of biodiversity. Agriculture and aquaculture are the biggest threats to endangered species, impacting over 7,500 species, while biological resource use could affect over 2,400. The current rate of species extinction is unprecedented and is only expected to continue through to 2050 and beyond.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
Marine animals are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic waste for food, leading to blockages in their digestive systems. Studies have found that up to 50% of sea turtles are ingesting plastic, and in one study of the Loggerhead species, 15% of young turtles examined had ingested plastic, resulting in obstructed digestive systems. In addition to sea turtles, whales, fish, and seabirds are also at risk of ingesting plastic. Research has found plastic microfibers in commonly consumed fish such as brown trout, cisco, and perch.
The impact of plastic pollution on wildlife is expected to worsen if no action is taken. By 2050, it is predicted that there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish, and 99% of marine species will have consumed microplastics. However, individuals can make a difference by reducing their plastic consumption, reusing and recycling plastics, and supporting efforts to protect marine ecosystems.
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Climate change
The Earth is currently experiencing a sixth mass extinction event, with thousands of animal species on the verge of extinction due to climate change and pollution. The impact of climate change on animal extinctions is profound, with some studies estimating a 5-13% loss of terrestrial tetrapod species and a 2-6% loss of marine animal species in the next 20 to 30 years. The primary drivers of this crisis are pollution, deforestation, and global warming, with pollution and deforestation expected to be the main drivers by 2030.
Pollution, a significant contributor to climate change, is devastating our planet and driving species extinction. Plastic pollution, in particular, has increased tenfold since 1980, with an estimated 600 tons of plastic entering our seas each year. This pollution destroys marine ecosystems and kills many animals. Marine pollution is not limited to plastics; 500 tons of oil are also introduced into the oceans annually, further damaging marine life. Additionally, 300-400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and other industrial wastes are dumped into the world's waters annually, causing the creation of ocean "dead zones." These dead zones, covering over 245,000 km2, are uninhabitable for marine life.
Air pollution also poses a significant threat to wildlife. It affects the quality of the environment and the availability and quality of food sources. Acid rain, a product of air pollution, changes the chemistry of soils and water bodies, making them too acidic for some animals to survive. It also increases the release of heavy metals, such as aluminum and mercury, into water habitats, which is toxic to many species, including fish. Bioaccumulation of these toxins in the tissues of animals, especially top-level predators, can lead to organ injury, increased vulnerability to diseases and stresses, reduced reproductive success, and even death.
The impact of climate change and pollution on specific species is evident. For example, Chinese river dolphins, foothill yellow-legged frogs, and sockeye salmon are endangered due to water pollution, dams, and other industrial activities. The passenger pigeon, once a spectacular migratory bird in the United States, was hunted to extinction by the early 1900s. The dodo bird, extinct since 1690, fell victim to predation by introduced pigs and cats.
The current environmental crisis is a direct result of human activity, posing a direct threat to human well-being worldwide. Urgent action is required to address climate change, reduce pollution, and promote biodiversity before it is too late.
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Intensive hunting and fishing
Human activities have significantly contributed to the extinction of numerous animal species. One significant factor is intensive hunting and fishing, which has had devastating impacts on wildlife populations.
Passenger Pigeons
The passenger pigeon is a striking example of the consequences of intensive hunting. Until the early 1800s, vast flocks of these birds darkened the skies in their migratory journeys across the United States. Their abundance and ease of capture made them a popular and cheap food source. Commercial hunters relentlessly pursued them, leading to their eventual extinction. Martha, the last known passenger pigeon, died in captivity in 1914, serving as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of species faced with uncontrolled hunting.
Rhinos
The plight of the rhinoceros, specifically the sub-Saharan black rhinoceros, underscores the detrimental effects of intensive hunting. Once numbering around 100,000, their population has dwindled to a mere 4,000 in recent times due to extensive poaching. The demand for rhino horns, driven by their perceived medicinal value, has fueled a drastic increase in poaching activities. The rising affluence in Vietnam has further exacerbated the situation, with a surging demand for rhino horns contributing to the species' near extinction.
Turtles and Geckos
Asia's freshwater turtle species are also facing a dire threat, with approximately 80% of them in danger of extinction. The Sunda pangolin, native to the jungles of Malaysia and Indonesia, has experienced a halving of its population over the last fifteen years due to the demand for its meat and scales. Similarly, millions of Tokay geckos are poached annually from Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands for their perceived medicinal value.
Pangolins and Vaquitas
The Borneo pangolin, found in the forests of Southeast Asia, is on the brink of extinction, with only a few individuals remaining. The vaquita, a species in the Gulf of California, is also in critical danger, with constant monitoring efforts in place to prevent their permanent disappearance.
To address the detrimental impacts of intensive hunting and fishing, it is imperative to implement stringent regulations and conservation measures. By curbing unsustainable hunting practices and prioritizing the preservation of vulnerable species, we can mitigate the threat of extinction and restore balance to disrupted ecosystems.
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Agriculture and aquaculture
While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of animal species that have gone extinct due to pollution in agriculture and aquaculture, it is clear that these human activities have significantly contributed to the ongoing environmental and animal crisis.
Agriculture
Agricultural practices have been identified as a major driver of species extinction. Since the 1800s, industrialization has accelerated extinction rates, and it continues to do so. Water pollution, dam construction, and other industrial activities have endangered numerous species, including Chinese river dolphins, foothill yellow-legged frogs, and sockeye salmon.
The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals in agriculture can contaminate water bodies, leading to aquatic habitat degradation and the death of aquatic organisms. Additionally, agricultural activities can cause soil erosion, nutrient runoff, and the destruction of natural habitats, further contributing to the decline of various animal species.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture, which includes fish farming and the cultivation of aquatic organisms, has a complex relationship with the environment. While it provides a significant source of animal protein for billions of people worldwide, it also has environmental repercussions. For example, the use of hormones, steroids, antibiotics, and parasiticides in aquaculture has been detected in soils, surface waters, and groundwaters, causing imbalances in different ecosystems.
Additionally, the introduction of exotic species in aquaculture can have unintended consequences. The transmission of parasites, such as sea lice, from captive-bred salmon to wild salmon populations, has been observed, and if left unchecked, could lead to local extinction and a significant decline in wild salmon numbers.
The environmental impacts of aquaculture can be mitigated through the adoption of integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) practices. IMTA involves the simultaneous farming of multiple species from different trophic levels, improving nutrient cycling and reducing the environmental impacts caused by effluents.
In conclusion, while agriculture and aquaculture provide essential resources for humanity, their negative impacts on the environment and animal species cannot be ignored. It is crucial to implement sustainable practices, improve regulations, and address the root causes of pollution and habitat destruction to prevent further species extinction.
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Industrialisation
Industrialization has had a profound impact on the planet's biodiversity, driving up extinction rates since the 1800s. Human activities, such as pollution, deforestation, climate change, and overhunting, have pushed many species to the brink of extinction, with some already extinct.
The industrialization of the oceans, for example, has led to the collapse of hundreds of land species, and now marine life is facing similar pressures. Pollution, in particular, has had devastating effects on aquatic ecosystems. Water pollution, for instance, endangers Chinese river dolphins, foothill yellow-legged frogs, and sockeye salmon. Additionally, plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, with tons of heavy metals, solvents, and toxic sludge dumped into our waters annually. This has resulted in the creation of ocean "dead zones," where marine life cannot survive.
Climate change, caused in part by industrialization's greenhouse gas emissions, has also contributed to species extinction. Global warming has already led to a 1-degree Celsius average temperature rise since pre-industrial levels, and this number is projected to increase further. As a result, terrestrial species ranges are expected to shrink significantly, with up to 16% of species at risk of extinction with a 4.3-degree Celsius warming.
Deforestation, driven by the demand for lumber, expanding farmlands, and industrial development, has also played a role in biodiversity loss. Forests are home to 80-90% of terrestrial species, and their destruction has left many animals without habitats. This, coupled with pollution, has led to a projected 5–13% terrestrial tetrapod species loss and 2–6% marine animal species loss in the next generation (2060–2080 CE) if current trends continue.
Moreover, overhunting and commercial hunting have driven species such as the passenger pigeon, dodo bird, and Stellar's sea cow to extinction. Human activities have caused hundreds of extinctions in the past few centuries, and the current rate of global species extinction is tens to hundreds of times higher than the average over the last 10 million years.
To mitigate these impacts, scientists have proposed setting aside larger areas of the ocean that are safe from industrial development and fishing. Conservation biology also focuses on managing ecosystems to prevent species extinction, targeting specific species and habitats for protection.
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Frequently asked questions
It is hard to pinpoint the exact number of animal extinctions caused by pollution, as it often occurs alongside other factors such as climate change, deforestation, and human activity. However, according to new research, pollution is responsible for at least 37 animal extinctions.
The main causes of animal extinctions are climate change, pollution, deforestation, and human activities. These factors lead to habitat loss, which is the biggest driver of declining biodiversity and increasing extinction rates.
Pollution, especially plastic pollution, destroys marine ecosystems and kills many animals. It also affects local populations, reducing their chances of survival and reproduction.
Climate change raises global temperatures, causing species to move out of their traditional habitats or face pressure to adapt. It also contributes to severe weather, changing ecosystems, and the loss of host and pollinator species.
To prevent animal extinctions, it is crucial to address the root causes mentioned above. This includes reducing pollution, mitigating climate change, preserving habitats, and promoting biodiversity. Conservation efforts targeting specific species and habitats can also help.
