Kiera Jefferson
Pollution, deforestation, and warming in the late 21st century are causing an environmental–animal crisis. According to the WWF, approximately 600 tons of plastic and 500 tons of oil are released into the oceans annually, destroying marine ecosystems and killing many animals. Plastic pollution is one of the most significant contributors to this crisis, with plastic found in almost every part of human life, from the Pacific trash vortex to the ingestion of plastic by sperm whales. Other pollutants, such as oil spills, pesticides, and industrial waste, also play a detrimental role in the endangerment and extinction of species. Climate change and pollution have led to 33 and 37 animal extinctions, respectively. This crisis is expected to worsen, with projections indicating that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of animal species becoming extinct because of pollution | 15,000-42,000 |
| Percentage of marine animal species loss | 2-6% |
| Percentage of terrestrial tetrapod species loss | 5-13% |
| Examples of animals becoming extinct because of pollution | Chinese river dolphins, foothill yellow-legged frogs, sockeye salmon, river dolphins, caribou, Hawaiian honeycreeper species, North Atlantic right whales |
| Other causes of animal extinction | Global warming, deforestation, nuclear war, habitat degradation, agriculture, urban sprawl, logging, mining, fishing practices, overexploitation of resources, climate change |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution in oceans
The ocean is particularly vulnerable to plastic waste. Once plastic enters the ocean, it can spread across vast distances, accumulating in gyres or becoming embedded in shorelines and coastal ecosystems. Over time, plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, eventually reaching microscopic sizes. These microplastics are then ingested by small organisms, accumulating in the food chain, and impacting larger organisms, including marine mammals and humans who consume seafood.
One of the primary ways plastic harms marine life is through ingestion. Seabirds, for example, mistake small plastic fragments on the water's surface for food, leading to starvation, suffocation, or health issues due to the chemicals released by the plastic. Research indicates that 60% of all seabird species have ingested plastic, and this number is predicted to rise to 99% by 2050. Sea turtles are also at risk, with half of sea turtles worldwide having ingested plastic. They can choke, suffer internal injuries, or starve due to the false sense of fullness that plastic creates.
Another way plastic harms marine life is through entanglement. Abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost fishing equipment," continues to ensnare marine creatures, often leading to drowning. This gear includes items such as nets and ropes, which can entangle and trap marine mammals and other large creatures, causing injury or death.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond individual animals to entire ecosystems. Coral reefs, for instance, can be smothered by plastic, depriving them of sunlight and oxygen. Plastic also serves as a vector for pathogens and bacteria that cause diseases in marine species, such as black band disease in corals. Furthermore, plastics leach toxins and are a source of chemical pollution, which can affect the endocrine system of marine life and increase their susceptibility to diseases.
The threat of plastic pollution is not limited to marine environments. Rivers, particularly those in regions with high populations and inadequate waste management systems, carry significant amounts of plastic waste into the oceans. Additionally, microplastics and microfibers from synthetic clothing and other sources pass through water treatment plants and enter waterways and oceans, where they are ingested by marine organisms.
The consequences of plastic pollution are dire, and it is estimated that thousands of marine animals die each year due to plastic ingestion or entanglement. To address this crisis, it is essential to reduce plastic consumption, improve waste management practices, promote reusable and sustainable alternatives, and raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems.
Preventing Personal Pollution: Simple Steps for a Healthier Planet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Oil spills at sea
One of the most well-known examples of this is the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also known as the BP oil spill, which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. This disaster affected a wide variety of marine life, including bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic bluefin tuna, Gulf sturgeon, smalltooth sawfish, and the dwarf seahorse. The BP oil spill also impacted over 100 species of birds, including black skimmers, brown pelicans, and northern gannets. It is estimated that up to 25,900 marine mammals may have been harmed, and the potential for invertebrate recovery is limited.
Oil spills can affect marine life in several ways. Firstly, ingestion of oil or dispersants can cause gastrointestinal issues, ulcers, bleeding, and digestive complications, impairing the ability of animals to absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to reduced health and fitness, and even starvation in some cases. Secondly, absorption of oil through the skin can damage the liver and kidneys, cause anemia, suppress the immune system, and induce reproductive failure. Oil spills can also have indirect effects, such as causing behavioral changes as animals relocate in search of new food sources.
Marine mammals, such as dolphins, are particularly vulnerable to oil spills as they spend a lot of time near the surface of the water, where oil floats. They can be exposed to oil through inhalation, ingestion of contaminated food, or swimming through it. Similarly, sea turtles are vulnerable to oil at all stages of life, from eggs to adults. Oil can also damage the gills of fish, making it harder for them to breathe, and it can kill fish eggs and impair the growth of young fish.
The effects of oil spills can be long-lasting, with oil spills affecting fish reproduction for decades. Additionally, the widespread pollution from the BP oil spill caused fishing closures across 88,500 square miles, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of these disasters.
The Green Energy Paradox: Hydroelectricity's Pollution Problem
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pollution from pesticides
Pesticides are toxic chemicals that are a major threat to wildlife. They are among the main factors driving global declines in biodiversity and contributing to species declines and the extinction crisis worldwide. Over a billion pounds of pesticides are used in the US each year, contaminating the drinking water for as many as 50 million people.
The overuse of pesticides is pushing many protected species towards extinction. A 2017 report by the US Fish and Wildlife Service found that two commonly used pesticides, malathion and chlorpyrifos, were so toxic that they jeopardize the continued existence of nearly 1,300 endangered species. Another pesticide, diazinon, often used on cockroaches and ants, threatens 79% of endangered species. The World Health Organization has said that malathion and diazinon are "probably carcinogenic to humans".
The EPA has also acknowledged that imidacloprid, one of the world's most commonly used pesticides, can be harmful to honeybees, which are the most important pollinators of crops. In 2014, the Center for Food Safety petitioned to list the Monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act due to the impacts of pesticides and other threats of industrial agriculture to this species. A 2021 EPA assessment of three types of neonics found that they are likely to harm all 38 amphibian species and about three-quarters of all species protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Pesticides can directly kill plants and animals, but they can also have sublethal effects, impacting a species' behaviour, ability to reproduce, and weakening their immune systems. They can also have indirect effects, such as loss of habitat and changes in the food web. With hundreds of different pesticides being used each year, native plants and wildlife are likely to be exposed to many during their lifetime, and the use of different pesticides together may be more harmful than the sum of their individual effects.
The massive overuse of pesticides is a human-induced crisis that is threatening wildlife and pushing species towards extinction. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis and protect endangered species.
Minimizing Noise Pollution at Home with STEM Solutions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Climate change
The primary human activities contributing to climate change and species extinction include the consumption of fossil fuels, ocean acidification, pollution, deforestation, and forced migrations. These activities have led to rising sea temperatures, melting ice, and changing weather patterns, which have disrupted ecosystems and impacted wildlife. Marine pollution, for example, has caused the destruction of marine ecosystems and the death of many animals, with plastic being one of the most significant contributors. According to the WWF, approximately 600 tons of plastic and 500 tons of oil are released into the oceans each year.
The Bramble Cay melomys (Melomys rubicola), a rodent, has recently gone extinct due to climate change. Five Hawaiian honeycreeper species have also been declared extinct and removed from the US Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered, facing threats from rising water temperatures and changing winds and ocean currents, which impact their migration, feeding, and reproduction.
The effects of climate change on wildlife are widespread and severe. If global temperatures continue to rise, more species will become vulnerable and head towards extinction. It is crucial to address climate change and mitigate its impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Conservation efforts play a vital role in protecting species from the impacts of climate change. Captive breeding programs, habitat protection, and the creation of reserves and national parks have helped save species such as the Spanish giant tortoise and the Alpine ibex. By targeting specific species and habitats, conservation biology aims to manage ecosystems and prevent further extinctions. These efforts are essential to preserving biodiversity and ensuring the survival of various plant and animal species.
Protecting Ourselves from Pollution: Tips for Staying Healthy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Racing Extinction [DVD + Digital]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91FunUY6fuL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Soil consumption
The overexploitation of the planet's resources, such as oil and gas, also contributes to the destruction of natural environments. The burning of fossil fuels releases toxic metals and pollutants into the atmosphere, which eventually settle back down onto the ground. This has been shown to have adverse effects on both plant and animal life. For example, the synthetic chemical DDT was found to cause reproductive failure in the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and brown pelican, nearly driving them to extinction.
Another example of the impact of soil consumption is the contamination of bird food sources by the accumulation of selenium in algae. This led to reproductive issues in several bird species, resulting in deformed embryos.
The release of toxic metals into the environment through human activities such as mining, metal refining, and waste-water discharge has created toxic levels of pollutants in the soil, air, and water. These activities have altered the biological balance that has evolved over thousands of years, posing a threat to wildlife.
Reducing soil consumption and promoting sustainable practices can help mitigate the impact of pollution on animal species and their habitats. Conservation programs and policies that protect biodiversity and prevent habitat destruction are essential to preserving species from extinction.
Plastic Pollution: A Global Crisis?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Climate change, pollution, and human actions are the main factors that contribute to animal extinction. Human population growth and overconsumption are also leading causes.
Many animals are threatened by climate change, including sharks, Hawaiian honeycreepers, and the hawksbill turtle. The Bramble Cay melomys, also known as the Bramble Cay mosaic-tailed rat, has already gone extinct due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Pollution can directly cause animal extinction by rendering habitats uninhabitable. For example, marine pollution from plastic and oil destroys marine ecosystems and harms many animals. Pollution is responsible for 37 extinctions to date.
Human actions such as overhunting, poaching, and habitat destruction have contributed to animal extinction. Early humans worked together to trap and kill large animals, and modern humans continue to engage in intensive uncontrolled hunting and fishing.
Yes, organizations such as the Worldwide Fund for Nature and advocacy groups like The Wildlands Project aim to preserve species from extinction and educate the public. Governments have also enacted laws to protect habitats and reduce pollution. Additionally, captive breeding programs have helped prevent the extinction of certain species, such as the Spanish giant tortoise.
![Transformers: Age of Extinction [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91p46aesvML._AC_UY218_.jpg)
