SHIEN B.

TUÑACAO
JESILLE ZAFRA
BSA-1C

The World is Heating Up

The connection between biodiversity and climate change has long been recognized. Although
ecosystems and species have come and gone throughout Earth's history, the climate has fluctuated.
Rapid climate change, however, limits the ability of ecosystems and species to adapt, which results in a
loss of biodiversity. Humans frequently think of climate change in terms of how it will directly impact the
human population, such as increased frequency of extreme weather events, more frequent droughts and
flooding, and sea level rise impacting our cities, homes, and the global economy. However, it is likely
that other living species, such as plants, animals, birds, and marine life, will experience more significant
effects from a warming planet and changing weather patterns. As the climate heats, it is anticipated that
biodiversity, or the variety and quantity of living species, would significantly drop, having a detrimental
effect on golbal ecosystems.

Climate change can affect species in myriad ways including the expansion, contraction, and
“migration” of habitat; increased incidence of disease and invasive species; changes in temperature,
precipitation, and other environmental conditions; shifts in food availability; and failure of ecological
relationships with other species. As climate change worsens, dangerous weather events are becoming
more frequent or severe, more frequent and intense drought, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels,
melting glaciers and warming oceans can directly harm animals, destroy the places they live, and wreak
havoc on people's livelihoods and communities. Other than this, we have changes in rainfall patterns,
ocean acidification, rise in sea-level, and so many more.

Just as importantly, this rate of extinction and declining biodiversity will lead to the loss of a range
of ecosystem services such as purification of air and water, climate stabilization, the generation of soil
and natural vegetation and stable climatic conditions.We, ultimately, rely on the biodiversity of the many
different ecosystems around us to make our planet habitable, provide for our needs, and enhance our
quality of life. Climate change may be threatening Biodiversity, but Biodiversity is also an essential tool in
fighting the climate crisis. With this, it is clear that only humans has the ability and the responsibility to
conserve biodiversity and defend against climate change.

The need for urgent action is clear. In this case, governments can choose to take species-specific
measures that can largely depend on the causes of the decline of vulnerable species. To stop the
exploitation of endangered animals, measures can include written laws. At a local scale, governments
could promote innovative research and development which will allow for improved conservation, law
enforcement and sustainable livelihoods. However, government commitments alone will not be enough.
Individual efforts like cutting personal consumption of energy, water, and other resources at home, at
school or at work, and reducing the amount of waste we produce by practicing the 3R Initiative — can
help protect biodiversity and contribute to the transition to a more sustainable society.

On our world, every species—including humans—plays a part. It is our responsibility to take

immediate action to protect the wellbeing of all species, including our own.