Shouur 1

Karina Shouur

Kari Abspoel

ACW

25 March 2021

Biodiversity vs. Climate Change

The numbers of droughts globally are duplicating, animal populations are dangerously

diminishing, and our planet is undoubtedly dying. Who could be the culprit behind this? Or

rather, “What”? The answer is climate change. Scientists all over the world warn that if no

immediate actions are taken, “global warming is likely to exceed 2°C above pre-industrial

levels by 2060, and could even be as much as 5°C by the end of the century” (Consilium).

This rapid increase in temperature will cause considerable damage to fauna, flora,

ecosystems, and biodiversity worldwide. The loss of biodiversity is undoubtedly caused by

human activities. Combatting climate change is crucial as its effects can already be perceived

through a large amount of contemporary documentation, the wide range of predicted threats

caused by loss of biodiversity, and the plans in numerous countries around the world to try

and mend the consequences of global warming.

Contemporary documentation of biodiversity loss due to climate change proves to be

considerable in its amount. The perceived damage is prevalent through dwindling population

figures. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that “1 out of 8

birds, 1 out of 4 mammals, 1 out of 3 amphibians, and 6 out of 7 marine turtles are currently

on the verge of extinction.”1 One alarming change on planet Earth caused by global warming

is ocean heating. Ocean heating is the culprit of the numerous problems that have arisen

within marine ecosystems. An unusually warm environment disrupts ecosystems that are not
1 Shah, Anup. “Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions.” - Global Issues,
www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions. Accessed March 24,
2021.
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prepared to swiftly adapt to the sudden changes. Oceanic acidification and dead zones due to

an abundance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are infamous consequences of ocean

heating.2 The extinction rates of species have shot up since the previous century. The golden

toad and the orange-spotted filefish are a few examples of species that were abundant before

the unfortunate temperature spikes in the environment (Co2nsensus). Both became extinct in

the 1980s due to increased temperature levels in their aquatic ecosystems.

The effects of climate change on biodiversity in the future are evident. These

consequences are expected to worsen with each decade. With higher proportions of carbon

dioxide in the air, the environment is sure to suffer as a result. The temperature and the

number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are synchronized; when one increases, so does

the other. Several documented cases of climate-induced species shifts have been detected in

the northern hemisphere of the Earth (Hoffman). According to Hoffman, many species

migrate annually. Hoffman states, “There are several well-documented cases of climate-

induced shifts in the distribution of plants and animals in the northern hemisphere” (“Climate

Change and Biodiversity”). This, however, will become a problem once species that are not

the migrating kind begin to migrate due to climate changes. 3 Furthermore, due to

geographical and artificial barriers caused by humans, such migrations may not even occur in

the first place, and as a result, the species will diminish with time (Hoffman). Another major

predicted threat is coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is a phenomenon in which corals lose

their color and instead whiten; coral bleaching occurs due to warmer ocean temperatures and

higher acidity (Hoffman). Zooxanthellae are the algae that provide corals with the nutrients

they need to survive; they are also the source of the corals’ magnificent color. Zooxanthellae

2 Shah, Anup. “Climate Change Affects Biodiversity.” - Global Issues,

www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions. Accessed March 24,
2021,.
3 Hoffman, Ary. “Climate Change and Biodiversity.” Curious, 23 Nov. 2017,
www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/climate-change-and-biodiversity. Accessed
March 22.
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are expelled by corals when the coral is under extreme stress due to abnormal environmental

factors (Hoffman). It is clear that if no actions to combat climate change are taken with haste,

the world will rapidly change for the worse before our eyes.

In spite of everything, something to cheer for is that actions to combat loss of

biodiversity due to climate change have been globally perceived. In Australia, plans to

protect endangered species have been prepared. For example, the recovery plan for the

mountain pygmy possum prepared by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service includes

the development of an accurate model which will illustrate habitat sustainability when

challenged by environmental changes (Hoffman). As for Australia’s local level, climate

change has become central to people’s lives. The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-

2030 attempts to tackle threats and to prepare ecosystems that are not yet endangered for the

future (Hoffman). In the United Kingdom, protective custody of endangered species is of

utmost importance. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International, based in London,

England, has taken custody of about 80,000 different species (Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.).

Kew Garden, which lies within the Royal Botanic Gardens, is another wonderful organization

that focuses on conserving the world’s bankable plant species. It has become the largest wild

plant seed bank in the world (Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.). With unified efforts, the

Earth’s precious organisms can be protected!

As demonstrated by the fact that global warming is predicted to exceed 2°C above

pre-industrial levels by 2060 (Consilium), it is conclusive that climate change is the major

contributor to the loss of biodiversity. The contemporary effects of climate change have been

perceived and the predictions for the horrible future consequences of global warming have

been identified. Due to the increased number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, oceanic

heating and acidification, abnormal migration patterns, and rapid extinction of endangered

species, urgent actions to save ecosystems have been taken globally. With organizations such
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as the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Botanic Gardens Conservation

International, we are fortunately making progress towards a better world for flora, fauna, and

the human population.

Works Cited
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Co2nsensus. “Animals That Have Gone Extinct Due to Global Warming.” Co2nsensus, 2021,

www.co2nsensus.com/blog/animals-that-have-gone-extinct-due-to-global-warming.

Accessed March 24.

Consilium. “Climate Change: What the EU Is Doing.” Consilium,

www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/climate-change/. Accessed March 17, 2021.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. “Conservation: Preventing Biodiversity Loss.” Encyclopædia

Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,

www.britannica.com/explore/savingearth/conservation-preventing-biodiversity-loss.

Accessed March 24, 2021.

Hoffman, Ary. “Climate Change and Biodiversity.” Curious, 23 Nov. 2017,

www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/climate-change-and-biodiversity.

Accessed March 22.

Kroeger, Alix. “EU Warns of Climate Change Threat.” BBC News, BBC, 10 Mar. 2008,

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7287168.stm. Accessed March 25.

Shah, Anup. “Climate Change Affects Biodiversity.” - Global Issues,

www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions. Accessed March

24, 2021,.

---. “Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions.” - Global Issues,

www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions. Accessed March

24, 2021.