10 of the world’s most endangered animals in 2023. (2023, May 19). Earth.Org. Retrieved August 15, 2023, from https://earth.org/endangered-species-day/

1) Amur Leopard: 84 left, threatened by poaching and habitat loss. 2) Rhinos: black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos are poached for horns. 3) Orangutan: Bornean and Sumatran, facing deforestations. 4) Gorilla: Eastern and Western species, poached. 5) Saolo: rare mammal, population less than 50. 6) Yangtze Finless Porpoise: 1000-1800 left, threatened by fishing and pollution. 9) Turtle: Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, and Leatherback turtles are severely endangered. 10) Elephants: African and Asian elephants are decreasing in numbers, with Sumatran elephants at risk of extinction.

This article was hard to summarize because it was in a list form, but it indeeply described each endangered species in their environment and the primary factors that are leading them to extinction. A lot of similar reasons for their extinction are poaching and habitat loss. Many of these animals are already very rare, so poaching these animals is insensitive and arrogant against our givers of natural resources in our shared environment. Additionally, this article reflects on National Endangered Species Day which is silly since we should be celebrating and acknowledging our environment and ecosystem every day to prevent the decline of natural resources.

Paddison, L. (2023, May 22). Global loss of wildlife is ‘significantly more alarming’ than previously thought, according to a new study. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/22/world/wildlife-crisis-biodiversity-scn-climate-intl/index.html

48% of species are experiencing a rapid decline in population globally, with less than 3% seeing growth. A specific factor is the challenges that amphibians must face, diseases, and climate shifts in habitats. Animals in the tropics are more prone to rapid changes in their environmental temperatures. >70,000 species reveal a rapid decline in the relationship between global biodiversity erosion. 33% of “non-threatened” species are going extinct. Craig Hilton-Taylor, head of the IUCN Red List states that data analysis is over-inflating the situation. Conservation in thriving populations and habitats is vital for a sustainable future for our ecosystem.

This article is related to environmental science because it examines the effects and changes that are happening. The articles explain the result of worsened biodiversity and an increase in endangered species. It shocked me that some people, such as Craig Hilton-Taylor, don’t believe in climate change and the terrible results that humans have caused due to a lack of acknowledgment and minimal action to prevent this decline. Additionally, this article also mentions conservation instead of preservation which is a red flag.

Messeter, J. (2023, January 23). Animals that might not survive 2023. Animals around the Globe. Retrieved August 15, 2023, from https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/animals-that-might-not survive/#:~:text=From%20habitat%20loss%20to%20excessive,they%20might%20not%20survive%202023.

The decline of Earth’s biodiversity will cause endangered species to go extinct by 2023. Lot of addressing to this issue, but little to no action. Species face habitat loss and poaching, compounded by a lack of attention due to lesser popularity. Animals with high extinction rates this year are: The Bengal tiger, the Indochinese tiger, the Sumatran tiger, orangutans, Leatherback Turtles, Addaxes (white antelope), Vaquitas (whale),  Javan Rhinoceros, Mountain Gorillas, Amur Leopards, Irrawaddy Dolphins, and the Asian Elephants. Despite the decline, conservation efforts, parks, and sanctuaries can aid these endangered species’ survival and provide hope and protection.

This article is related to environmental science because it names specific endangered species and explains why or how they are losing biodiversity. The article also gives specifics of what the animals must face in order to overcome extinction. The animals being named are the animals that create the biodiversity in our ecosystem and without them, it causes direct human impact that wouldn’t meet our social needs. In contrast with other articles, it states that instead of preservation, conservation efforts, parks, zoos, and sanctuaries will help aid this fallout.

Guynup, S. (2023, June 5). Global study of 71,000 animal species finds 48% are declining.
Mongabay. Retrieved August 15, 2023, from https://news.mongabay.com/2023/06/global-study-of-71000-animal-species-finds-48-are-declining/

A study showed that out of 71,000 species, 43% are in decline, 49% are stable, and 3% are rising. Some factors of the fall are habitat loss, climate change, and hunting drive decrease. During the Industrial Revolution, the human population spiked in growth and species extinctions. Rainforest deforestation affects ⅔ of species. Climate change overgrows adaptation. Acknowledgment and identification of endangered species are essential. Some solutions are curbing hunting, trafficking, and reforestation. We need energy conservation and to support conservation groups. Scientists seek global cooperation for change.

This article is related to environmental science because it explains the decline of endangered species and the damage that humans have caused to our ecosystem and many others. “Climate change overgrowing adaptation” really hit me, in a sense that it’s crazy how adaptation would overgrow climate change if it weren’t for the intensive and abusive force we emit contributing to climate change. Some solutions that we can do to prevent the loss of more endangered species are acknowledgment of certain declining species, less hunting, trafficking, and reforestation to perverse wildlife.

Biodiversity Day 2023: Building a sustainable future for everyone. (2023, May 22). Sustainability for All. Retrieved August 15, 2023, from https://www.activesustainability.com/environment/world-biodiversity-day/?_adin=02021864894

Human activity has already altered 75% of land and 66% of seas. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has stated that a million species are going extinct. 3+ billion people rely on marine life and 1.6 billion on forests. A major threat is climate change. Three species vanish every hour, 100-150 species are lost daily, and 15,000 to 80,000 species disappear yearly. For example, polar bears, frogs, and penguins are losing habitat or food sources. 100+ countries have already agreed upon the 30×30 Agreement to preserve 30% of land and sea by 2023.

My article is related to environmental science because it describes the conflicts and natural issues of our ecosystem revolving our the damage that we have placed upon it and the solutions that we can provide to help. The alteration of the land and sea by more than 50% is shocking since we have only barely explored the ocean. Additionally, losing 100-150 species is crazy especially since the article compared the loss with time. Hopefully, the 30×30 Agreement to preserve 30% land and sea by 2023 passes and becomes affective in benefiting our ecosystem and environment.

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.