Author: chmag

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22 Species Extinct in US – 2021

Nakamura, K. (2021, December 14). 22 animals that went extinct in the US in 2021 – and how to take action for Biodiversity. Global Citizen. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/animal-extinct-biodiversity-2021/ 

In the year 2021 alone, the United States has experienced a total of 22 extinct species as a result of many issues such as industrialization, climate change, invasive species, etc. Many of the species range from aquatic life – mussels and fish, as well as many different bird species. Unsurprisingly, the driving causes of extinction are related to climate change and the human lifestyle in America that comes with the overproduction of foods and removal of habitat for species. Furthermore, the introduction of invasive species accounts for a quarter of plant extinctions and almost a third of all animal extinctions. It is possible to make and inspire change as an individual by doing what you can to aid in the recovery from modern-day climate issues.

 

This article provided me with insight into how many species within the US, and even the world are truly being lost every year; and how it will only get worse if we do not prevent the United States’ bad habits from exacerbating the biodiversity crisis. Additionally, the article emphasizes the amount of influence each individual citizen has on the situation, and how everyone can do their part to help out. Of course, the public is unable to fix the problem alone, but the article motivated me to change my lifestyle to be more eco-friendly. As American citizens we cant put all of the blame on the government and large corporations, it incentivizes people to look inwards.

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Industrialization Effect on Birds

Glasgow, U. (2022, February 11). Past landscape changes may affect future bird biodiversity, leading to species extinction2. Physics Org. Retrieved February 12, 2022, from https://phys.org/news/2022-02-landscape-affect-future-bird-biodiversity.html 

Researchers from the University of Glasgow have discovered that previous changes in landscapes such as the transition of natural lands (forests and plains) to the urbanization of certain areas dramatically affects the biodiversity of many bird species. Additionally, by forcing bird species into a dilemma where they either need to find a new habitat or adapt to their current, shifting habitats, we are disrupting local food chains. Also, a loss of bird population brings the possibility for more, different species to thrive and invade various ecosystems within urban areas. Nevertheless, the problem of urbanization is leading bird species to extinction.

This article reminded me of the major influence humans have on biodiversity within the United States and around the world. Although the article sheds light on the problem at hand, it does not propose a proper solution to the issue. This makes me wonder about what potential solutions could be implemented into our methods of industrialization to allow for humans and birds (along with other animals) to live, or perhaps thrive among one another. The article supplied me with a much-needed perspective on the possibility of alternative solutions to loss in biodiversity beyond those of conservation efforts. I do not doubt that industrialization methods can shift to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach – think green infrastructure dialed up massively.

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Conservation Efforts Not Enough

Fillon, L. (2022, January 19). More protected areas won’t save biodiversity, warn experts. Phys.org. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://phys.org/news/2022-01-areas-wont-biodiversity-experts.html 

Putting too much of an emphasis on the protection of natural lands and areas is like putting a bandaid on an open wound. The biodiversity crisis, as it is present day, will never be solved if we don’t account for all aspects of the bigger problem. The primary causes of biodiversity loss are habitat loss, fragmentation, overhunting, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. In order to prevent the issue from getting any worse, we must focus on all of the linking problems and tackle them at once, for if we only tackle one problem at a time while ignoring the others, the bigger issue at hand will only get worse.

I found this article useful in addressing and criticizing the flawed methods America utilizes to prevent negative effects of biodiversity. It brings into question the importance of conservation to the overarching and interrelated struggle, and whether or not it is an appropriate use of funds and time. That is not to say putting an effort to conserve and protect endangered species of plants and animals is completely useless, because it isn’t; but without maintaining a balance of all problems, we are unable to sufficiently progress towards the end goal.

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US Forest Pledges

Christianson, A. (2022, February 9). How the United States can fulfill its critical forest pledges. Center for American Progress. Retrieved February 12, 2022, from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-the-united-states-can-fulfill-its-critical-forest-pledges/ 

Although the United States has previously fallen short to meet the requirements of many developments that would aid in major climate issues, the Biden-Harris administration has recently committed to addressing biodiversity and climate-related matters by signing international pledges at COP26. The US aims to tackle deforestation in an effort to revert the copious amounts of negative impacts America has experienced in recent years, regarding an increase of forest fires, extinction, and floods as well as a loss of biodiversity. Forestry conservation is the first step in repairing climate and ecosystem damage, but it alone cannot compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions the United States produces.

I chose this article because it emphasized the deep connection between the United States’ loss in biodiversity with global climate change impacts. Many of the driving causes of climate change run parallel to the causes of biodiversity loss, presenting the world with the possibility of resolving two major hurdles at once. Additionally, the article mentions a few criticisms about the United State not doing enough, which reinforced my thoughts about how significant of a role politics plays in large, vital decisions for the future. Every country needs to appropriately address these issues, not only to encourage change but set proper plans to guide people towards a better future.

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Biodiversity in Politics

Jones, B. (2021, May 20). Why the US won’t join the single most important treaty to protect nature. Vox. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from https://www.vox.com/22434172/us-cbd-treaty-biological-diversity-nature-conservation 

Joe Biden has ensured that biodiversity loss and climate change are a top priority for the United States. He has joined in on a goal to cut down on 30% of water and land consumption within the US in the next 9 years. While Joe Biden has restored policies such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and other aspiring efforts to decrease carbon production, environmentalists question the logic behind why America has not participated in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). With an aim to maintain biodiversity, CBD has been ratified by almost every other country in the world, except a select few, including the United States. Previous leaders have claimed that indulging in the treaty would negatively affect the economy, but Biden springs a new hope for environmentalists.

While I understand why people are angry at the United States for not signing the international treaty, I find it reasonable that the US is afraid of how it could affect the economy. However, the problem lies when you come to find that the reasoning for denying the requests of the treaty is not logically justified. This article highlighted the selfishness of the United States when money gets involved in large matters. It is important to note that many of the previous presidents who denied CBD requests were Republican. Perhaps Joe Biden could break the pattern, and set the United States on a good path. Especially when the United States holds a lot of influence when it comes to climate change and biodiversity loss; joining CBD would greatly help.

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Making Use of Fish Waste

American Chemical Society. (2021, April 5). Making cleaner, greener plastics from waste fish parts. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 27, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210405075901.htm

 

Polyurethanes are a common type of plastic used in many items today such as clothing and construction materials, however, one of the major components is crude oil. This is a complication, given that crude oil is a highly toxic, non-renewable resource that is very difficult to break down. Fish oil is a potential alternative for crude oil, as it provides a more decomposable option when soaked with water or mixed with the enzyme “lipase” which can break down fats within the oil. This new plastic is still amidst its testing phase and seems to be a great replacement for other intoxicating chemicals.

 

I think this article has successfully reinforced the idea that there is a solution to everything in this world pertaining to the environment. There will always be a fix for any problem to come, it is a simple matter of whether or not we act on it. Not only is fish oil an amazing substitute for crude oil, but it also supplies various industries (clothing, refrigeration, construction) with a more environmentally friendly option. It also makes great use of the fish waste that pollutes aquatic ecosystems and communities that use fish as their primary source of nutrients. Such a creation would majorly contribute to the economy as well, this is because of the extensive amount of work done within the crude oil industry and how much money and land is being used harvesting the resource. However, I don’t quite fully understand the method of creating plastic from the fish waste, and whether or not all of the fish waste is completely utilized in the process. 

 

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Fish Waste Negative Effects + Gambia

Urbina, I. (2021, February 26). Fish farming is feeding the GLOBE. What’s the cost for Locals? Retrieved August 26, 2021, from https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/08/fish-farming-is-feeding-the-globe-whats-the-cost-for-locals

 

In Gunjur, Gambia there was a massive complication regarding a large fishing company dumping waste on the coast, not 1 mile out from the town, where the waste heavily impacted the waters and wildlife. The repercussions for such actions were a $25,000 fine and a short, insignificant license suspension. Trading companies were more concerned with investments from foreign countries rather than environmental issues. The aquaculture industry has led to more jobs for many women around the world and has been attributed to approximately half of the globe’s fish consumption. The people of Gunjur retrieve a majority of their food from the ocean and wildlife has been depleting at a rapid rate; however, the country of Gambia is making an attempt to restore life in the sea.

 

This article addresses the economic aspect of fisheries management, as well as the drawbacks of fish production and waste by relating it to the events that occurred in Gunjur. This story gave perspective on the copious amount of ethical and environmental issues that come with seafood supply and its connections with stocks and trades. These connections lead to an imbalance and skewed view of what should be prioritized within the industry. Many companies are concerned with the decrease in profits more than the negative effect on communities and their environment. It was also noted that the need for fish has surpassed the limit on how much we can farm. We are able to connect this with the protection of more mature fish leading to a potential and overall increase in capacity for fish farming. There still lies a problem; the lack of regard for fish waste in countries around the world has left a negative impact on communities as well as aquatic ecosystems.

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Larger Fish Produce More Offspring + Fisheries Efficiency

NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. (2021, August 18). Protecting largest, most prolific fish may boost productivity of fisheries: Overlooking capacity of large females may lead to overharvest. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 26, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210818135210.htm 

 

New research uncovers that larger, more mature fish are able to produce a greater amount of offspring than previously understood. Additionally, the offspring of older fish will see a significantly higher survival rate. The absence of fish with as large of a capacity as these has led to the continuance of the big problem of overharvesting in many fisheries. It has been noted that protection over the fish could lead to a considerable supply of long-term solutions for the climate and food production throughout the world. 

 

I feel as though this article illuminates the aim for future exploitations of nature, in line with a better supply for people who depend on fish as a food source. However, I do fear that such an idea would not be set in motion as there are many short-term setbacks for the economy and food supply, as a significant percentage of the population consume fish on a daily basis. Nonetheless, it is also worth noting that a healthy amount of fish in the ocean would do wonders for the climate, and may benefit the food chain within aquatic ecosystems by decreasing the amount at which rare species (such as the sawfish) are captured by overfishing. The increase may also contribute to the overall amount of carbon able to be captured by the ocean, and thus, tackle issues of climate change and overharvesting within various fisheries. It is obvious that such an idea could be worthwhile, but is heavily dependent on the fisheries management’s ability to analyze the rewards over the risks.

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Sawfish Population Decline due to Overfishing

Simon Fraser University. (2021, February 10). Sawfish face global extinction unless overfishing is curbed. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 27, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210210165959.htm

 

Sawfish is a unique, and rare species of fish that would be found on the coastal waters of 90 countries. However, through the active processes of overfishing, sawfish have experienced a steady decline in population that threatens the continuation of their species. Given the distinctiveness of the species, it has been suggested that efforts to preserve sawfish would drastically reduce the threat of extinction. In the United States and Australia, ongoing efforts are present in an attempt to ensure the survival of Sawfish.

 

I think that the article grants an outlook of how the indirect actions of overfishing damage many vulnerable species around the world, posing a large threat to future biodiversity and climate change.   The sawfish species represents a great example of the troubles overfishing causes within aquatic communities. The role of sawfish aids the food chain because of their ability to support the ecosystem by pulling out little organisms from the ocean floor, making them easily captured by predators. I find it interesting that the most effort is being put into restoring aquatic life derives from places outside (preservation organizations) of the direct source of the problem (fisheries).  If international fisheries continue overfishing, species with low production rates, such as the sawfish, will no doubt face extinction.

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Fish Recruitment Impacts

University of Melbourne. (2021, April 27). Study first to explore combined impacts of fishing and ocean warming on fish populations. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 30, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210427085802.htm

 

Fish recruitment has been steadily declining due to the rise in temperatures in the ocean. Expert in Marine Biology, Henry Wootton, had commenced a study where he placed 18 different groups of fish in a controlled environment where his team experimented with the long-term effects of temperatures throughout several generations of fish. They had discovered that smaller fish were more susceptible to the effects of an increase in temperatures over a long period of time. Maintaining diversity in fish sizes would increase overall adaptability to warmer climates. It had also been noted that many of the negative indicators of small fish could only be noticed after 4 generations of testing.

 

This article furthered my understanding on the possibilities of how much worse climate change can be for biodiversity. Given that the testing hadn’t seen major effects until the 4th generation of fish highly suggests that, if world temperatures keep climbing, many more problems will arise within all ecosystems. Fish stocks will also take a significant hit, impacting aquatic food chains, and therefore decreasing the amount of availability for people who mainly eat fish. Although the study has seen solutions to the adaptability of fish with more diversity, we can’t be solely dependant on it. If anything, this information supplies people with more initiative than ever before.