Greenhouse gas emissions from humans are a hostile force that is wiping out and threatening many plant and animal species. Although many precious species, from the golden toad to the orange-spotted filefish, and more have gone extinct due to human activities resulting in climate change, it is still our responsibility to protect the rest. According to a report by the United Nations of Biodiversity, species are depleting hundreds of times more than in the past 60 years. There are over 9.2 million living organisms on planet Earth. Around two-thirds of those living organisms live on land, but they are constantly facing the threat of extinction, as are the species in oceans and aquatic habitats. In today's world, we are facing the sixth mass extinction event, caused by humans, which could be the final blow to wiping out all species on earth if we don't work as a whole to overcome this. The WWF Living Planet Report 2022 displayed that in less than 50 years, the world lost sixty-nine percent of all mammal, fish, bird, reptile, and amphibian populations. This means that many keystone species might've died, leading to trophic cascades that negatively affect the ecosystem, as biodiversity is very important for an ecosystem to thrive. There are now a total of 42,100 species on the IUCN Red List, and 16,306 of them are endangered or threatened with extinction. This is up from 16,118 compared to 2022, which is a huge leap, mostly caused by high carbon emissions. Only 28% of species have been analyzed by the IUCN Red List, and out of these, 41% of amphibians, 27% of mammals, 34% of conifers, 13% of birds, 37% of sharks and rays, 36% of reef corals, 26% of selected crustaceans, 21% of reptiles, and 69% of cycads are all at risk of extinction. Additionally, wild mammal biomass has declined by 85% since the rise of humans. Researchers predict that 6% of plants and animals will disappear, going completely extinct by 2050. Furthermore, in the worst-case scenario of global warming, scientists estimate that 27% of plants and animals could disappear by 2100. For instance, Asian elephants and orangutans are endangered because their habitats are being destroyed by deforestation and the loss of plants they feed on due to climate change. Leatherback sea turtles are also becoming endangered because of global warming, which is caused by human greenhouse gas emissions, as the water is becoming too warm for them and their food to survive in. Additionally, snow leopards, polar bears, and Adelie penguins are endangered due to the Arctic shrinking at 14% per decade and their prey, such as krill, moving away on melting Antarctic ice sheets. With this rapid decline in the amount of ice, either these animals die of starvation or they search other areas for food and survival, like land. Not only do animals on land face high risk, but also aquatic animals such as the North Atlantic cod have been going extinct. As the Arctic melts, the cold water that melts from the ice changes how the entire ecosystem works, and unfortunately, The North Atlantic cod could not adapt. Lastly, many corals, such as the Staghorn Coral, are threatened by coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and diseases, which are all caused by warmer water that these organisms are not used to living in. In summary, the entire world is suffering from heavy species loss due to greenhouse gases, especially carbon emissions. We can do our part to conserve and restore biodiversity by doing simple things, such as biking more often, taking shorter showers, or buying locally, which may help to rehabilitate all of our extraordinary, distinctive species on Earth.

Sources:
https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/h … ate-crisis
https://www.co2nsensus.com/blog/animals … al-warming
https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?taxo … pe=species
https://ourworldindata.org/biodiversity
https://www.theguardian.com/environment … -warns-aoe
https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/m … ast%20year.

The alarming rate of species going extinct due to climate change highlights the urgent need for action to mitigate its effects. As habitats become uninhabitable and ecosystems are disrupted by rising temperatures and extreme weather events, many species are struggling to adapt and survive. This loss of biodiversity not only impacts the natural world but also poses significant risks to human societies, including disruptions to food systems, increased vulnerability to natural disasters, and loss of cultural heritage. As app developers west palm beach, we have a responsibility to leverage technology and innovation to address these challenges. By developing mobile apps that raise awareness about climate change, promote sustainable practices, and facilitate conservation efforts, we can empower individuals and communities to take meaningful action to protect our planet and its precious biodiversity. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all species.