. Or, as Rodney King said, “I just want to say – you know – can we all get along?”. Read about why you shouldn't feed your backyard wildlife. They occupy the honeybee nest for up to a week or longer, feeding on the pupae and larvae. If one goes down, we may all go–and humans are not above it all. Long the face of the conservation movement, giant pandas were upgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species In September 2016. Published 12:40 am Wednesday, July 15, 2020. We need to get a handle on the toxic chemicals we use to grow food. In fact, The World Wildlife Federation offers a whole list (two full pages) of the “most” endangered species. Even if these conditions are met, however, another challenge remains, for implementing these kinds of changes necessitates action on a worldwide basis. EcoWatch considers global warming the greatest threat to survival of life on the planet, as we noted, but number two is the loss of biodiversity. Will Biden Really Pick Amy Klobuchar as VP? That’s just two, right? People commonly wound and kill … And humans can stop it. . If we don’t melt ourselves into extinction, another possible route to end times is partly a byproduct of climate change: loss of biodiversity. Environment News Service reported as far back as 1999 that, “the current extinction rate is now approaching 1,000 times the background rate [what would be considered the normal rate of extinction] and may climb to 10,000 times the background rate during the next century, if present trends continue [resulting in] a loss that would easily equal those of past extinctions.”. Some experts say they’re responsible for one of every three bites of food we eat. That is—mass extinctions of the “links in the chain” of life. New genetic studies shows humans were as rare as chimpanzees 1.2 million years ago ... for endangered species such as chimpanzees (21,000) and gorillas (25,000). Recently scientists estimated that bats in the United States have save us somewhere between $3.7 and 54 billion in pest control services every year. They then feed it to their own young. Dr. Lawrence Wittner, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is Professor of History emeritus at SUNY/Albany and the author of Confronting the Bomb (Stanford University Press). According to the IUCN Red List, 5 species and 6 subspecies of dolphins are endangered. If strict actions are not taken, scientists fear these species could be extinct by 2020. Another species in danger is—BATS. Through a process dubbed “reverse zoonotic transmission”, scientists worry SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, could jump from humans to marine mammals. Even if these disastrous developments fail to snuff out the human race, plenty of mass misery can be expected from the rising economic and social inequality occurring around the globe. Extreme heat, drought, storms, floods, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels are wreaking havoc on an unprecedented scale. Most of us are irrationally frightened of them, because they’re nocturnal, we have little contact, and when we do, we hear screeching, and can’t really see them flying speedily by. Sure, the rightwing, nationalist rulers of many countries never stop telling us that they have made their nations “great” again. Based on their feedback, we reduced the final candidate list to 39 bird and 21 mammal species for 1993–2020, and 23 bird and 17 mammal species for 2010–2020. Considered with the kind of objective methods employed by biologists to describe other animals, humans emerge as a most peculiar kind of primate. Tarantulas can live up to 30 years. For instance, National Geographic discusses “Murder Hornets.”. Was The Fourth of July Really ‘Independence Day’? Have you noticed recently that things are collapsing? This June, the temperature in the Arctic reached 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit―the hottest on record. Enter your email address to get the latest 2020 Election news sent instantly to your inbox! To avert nuclear war, it will probably be necessary to both ban nuclear weapons and create a stronger international security system. As many as 50 percent of the hives in the U.S. and Europe have collapsed in the past 10 years. Responding to climate change activism, scientists and engineers have developed methods to utilize solar and wind power to replace fossil fuels. . These plants include bananas, mangoes, avocados, date, and figs. Found mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Cross River gorillas inhabit a territory surrounded by people and have slowly had their habitat taken away. One is bees. Humans feeding wild animals without careful plans can cause them to become dangerously habituated to humans and change their behavior. The Endangered Dolphins. The Canadian Wildlife Federation says “Bats are amazing animals that are vital to the health of our environment and economy. When species become endangered, it is a sign of an ecosystem's imbalance. Our babies seem no smarter than other apes, but by the time we are toddlers the differences are profound. . ... Gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and bonobos are the four species of great apes, which possess DNA that is closest to humans. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a major environmental report released in 2005, reported 10-30 percent of mammals, birds and amphibians on the planet are in danger of extinction due to human activity, which includes deforestation (resulting in habitat destruction), CO2 emissions (resulting in acid rain), over-exploitation (such as overfishing the oceans), and invasive species introduction (like boa constrictors in the Florida Everglades). April 19th, 2020 by Johnna Crider . Who Might Replace Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker? The next mass extinction may have already begun.” What would that be like? . Date: July 12,13,14,15,16,21,22,2020 782 Words. In a broader sense, the term "endangered" is used to describe species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered. Working together, physicians and other scientists have either eradicated or dramatically reduced the range of numerous diseases, including smallpox, polio, guinea worm, malaria, and measles. Critically Endangered This means they are at an elevated risk for extinction. A lot of other wildlife species in India also fell into the Critically Endangered category due to climate change. The list was presented at the World Conservation Congress in Jeju, South Korea. In a foreword to the study, UN Secretary General António Guterres declared that the world is confronting “the harsh realities of a deeply unequal landscape,” characterized by “a vicious cycle of inequality, frustration, and discontent.”  Feeding on popular fears and anxieties, racism and xenophobia are on the rise. When they encounter honeybees, their attack starts with a “slaughter phase” in which they serially bite the heads off bees with their large mandibles. for both water and insect foraging. It’s common knowledge that bats eat a tremendous amount of insects—including many insects that are dangerous to humans; but like bees, bats are also important for pollination. Endangered species scored a win against the Keystone XL … Bats have been documented eating bugs that attack pecans, almonds, rice, cotton, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tomatoes, cucumbers and beans. Learn more about the species we are working to protecting from becoming endangered or extinct. Like many endangered animals, their decline is mostly due to poaching, habitat loss, disease, and human conflict. ( Read about COVID-19’s impact on the animal kingdom so far .) Why should we assume that we are incapable of responding to today’s crises? It’s easier to empathize with species that work more directly for our survival—especially if they’re cute. After all, disease pandemics, climate catastrophe, nuclear war, and economic and social inequality are global problems that require global solutions. In fact, the National Wildlife Federation gives us ten reasons why we should love bats. The health of an ecosystem is maintained by its plants and animals. Unfortunately, you may have heard of “white nose syndrome,” which is killing many bats. On Earth Day, your purchase can help save human lives. Humans are not endangered, yet. Hundreds of species are on the brink of extinction due to the threats caused by human practices. After all, the world is currently engulfed in a coronavirus pandemic that has already infected more than 12.5 million people, taken more than 550,000 lives, and created massive economic disruption. From the abolition of slavery to the creation of public education, the banning of child labor, the guaranteeing of old age security, the legalization of unions, the recognition of women’s rights, and the defense of gay rights, previously unimaginable changes have been promoted and implemented. .Bats pollinate over 700 plants, some of which we use for food and medicine. Likewise, the Kangaroo Island dunnart was listed as critically endangered before it lost 95% of its habitat in the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires. Large … But humans are also endangering bats, through habitat loss and use of pesticides. As long as they are not classified as protected or endangered, tarantula aficionados can keep whichever one they fancy. Many bats depend on riparian areas (riverbanks, lakeshores, etc.) Furthermore, numerous movements have succeeded, on occasion, in securing a more equitable distribution of wealth and a reduction in discrimination. Currently, they are not officially considered endangered. Blueberries and almonds are almost entirely dependent on them. Goethe Behr is a Contributing Editor and Moderator at Election Central. OK, bees and bats are dying due to human activity. An extensive analysis done by The Washington Postand published in 2017 show bee num… Deforestation has caused Cross River gorillas to become endangered animals. But the world is a “closed system,” meaning that nothing is added or subtracted—all the parts have to work together to maintain life as we know it. ... 13 November 2020… But as his research progressed, the data began to reveal that humans could be a vector, spreading the disease to wild animals. On Dec. 20, 2016, Doublestuf's body was towed to … World Wildlife Day 2020: 14 Endangered Species Threatened by Human Activity. On World Wildlife Day 2020, here are 7 wildlife species that went extinct in 2019: . In fact, more than 300 tropical plants depend on bats for seed dispersal and pollination. Sure Looks Like Biden Will Be the Next President, Election Day 2020: Live Results Open Thread, Full Video: Watch the GOP ‘Voters First Forum’. The listing change followed a 17% increase in the population in China from 2004 to 2014. The major reasons leading to the loss of population for both Sumatran and Bornean species are palm oil plantation, fires and poaching. If our practices kill insects and birds that make it possible to grow crops, we’re defeating their purpose and putting ourselves and the rest of nature at risk. . To successfully battle pandemics, it will be essential to create a far stronger public health system, accessible to everyone. . According to an ANI report, at least three to four wildlife species have gone extinct due to desertification in India in 2019. The news has been full of worry about an invasive enemy. He has been a political junkie since the 1950s and enjoys adding a historical perspective. This balance is difficult to maintain: the loss of one species often triggers the loss of others. (Part 1), First Georgia Senate Runoff Poll Shows Surprising Numbers. Humans & Endangered Species: 1, Keystone XL: 0. WWF is committed to saving endangered species. The only one that isn’t is the Mountain Gorilla, a subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla, which is considered Endangered. In addition, defying all reason, nations persist in arming themselves for a nuclear war that will destroy virtually all life on earth. But the world is a “closed system,” meaning that nothing is added or subtracted—all the parts have to work together to maintai ... Is humanity beyond the question of becoming an "endangered species" or are we still in danger of becoming the next entry on the list. Are humans an endangered species? Fri 30 Oct 2020 11.44 EDT Last modified on Fri 30 Oct 2020 13.29 EDT Humans are killing the endangered North Atlantic right whale far faster than … Although, the honey bee isn’t on the endangered list, many are still under the impression that they soon will go extinct. Bees pollinate crops ranging from apples to zucchini. Colony collapse disorder has wiped out millions of hives over the past decade, with pesticide use, parasites and poor nutrition eyed as likely culprits. Have you noticed recently that things are collapsing? We’ve always stood for defending the world’s most vulnerable species. According to IUCN, as of 2020, 6,811 species are critically endangered. Let’s hope they will rouse themselves and do so again. The conservation of endangered species is important for humans as well. Although there is not much time left before the world succumbs to one or more catastrophes, human beings have been able to alter their behavior and institutions. Some people laugh at efforts to save species, such as “the spotted owl,” but in fact, we do need each other. There are more. Though the bees have been observed stinging the would-be invaders, it appears to have no effect on these wasps. He started out posting during the 2008 election, became more active during 2012, and very active in 2016. As humans, we are, of course, most concerned with our own survival. Although we may not always see them, bats are hard at work all around the world each night – eating thousands of insects, pollinating flowers, and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees.”. Deforestation affects bat species that rely on forests for roosting and foraging. This is important, because most of the food we eat is pollinated by bees (directly or indirectly), according to EcoWatch, but the real danger to bees is not fellow insects—it’s US. Because humans shouldn't be the next endangered species. Ever wondered about an animal whose DNA is 97% similar to that of humans, well its Orangutan for you. . Well, in the worst one, 250 million years ago, 96 percent of ocean life and 70 percent of land life perished. Chris Kovatch In the midst of all the COVID craziness, summer has been speeding by. Researchers are hoping to use the opportunity to get a better handle on the language of Australia’s endangered Burrunan dolphins. Of course, the changes necessary to cope with today’s crises will not be obtained easily. These extremely patient, intelligent and observant great apes are critically endangered. Not only are industrial pollutants poisoning the air, the water, and the land as never before, but climate change is making the planet uninhabitable. . . Another problem is that bats are being blamed for Covid-19, but we would only be hurting ourselves if we were to attack bats. Combatting climate change will almost certainly require challenging the vast power of the fossil fuel industry. Direct spraying can quickly lead to the death of bats. Human activity is responsible for massive extinctions of countless species on Planet Earth. According to a UN study, released in January 2020, 70 percent of the world’s people suffer from growing economic inequality. According to a UN study, released in January 2020, 70 percent of the world’s people suffer from growing economic inequality. 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