The Power of the People

Rachael L                                                                                             November 20, 2013     Words: 756

The extinction and endangerment of animal and plant species across the world is a major issue, and is tied with many other problems such as climate change, pollution, and human infrastructure. As it is such a big issue, it is impossible to solve the problem with just a few solutions. Rectifying this issue will take many years, many people, and many different approaches. Although there are many people and organizations working on the problem, the general public needs to get involved with the issue or else solutions and conservation efforts could come too late.

One of the biggest problems for endangered species is loss or pollution of their natural habitat. Approximately half of the land on Earth has been changed for human use, which leaves less than half for natural ecosystems, much of which is contained in inhospitable places such as Antarctica. The International Union for Conservation of Nature identifies habitat loss as the main threat to 85% of the hundreds of threatened or endangered species on their red list. Half of Earth's original forests have been harvested, at a rate ten times higher than regrowth rates, a critical loss as at least half of all species on Earth live in tropical forests (WWF Global). Two-thirds of all rivers have been altered and regulated, draining the wetlands many rely upon, and many more rivers are polluted beyond use (US Fish and Wildlife Services).

It is no wonder that one of most effective solutions to endangered animals is the preservation of remaining habitat and the designation of new, clean areas for use. Permanently protecting habitat in national parks, nature reserves, and wilderness area is a huge benefit, and many organizations are working across the world to encourage governments to do just that. Another problem for endangered species is pollution and the resulting climate change, which often has much greater impacts on the plants and animals in an area than the humans. Well-known organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservatory, and governmental organizations like the US Fish and Wildlife Service raise billions of dollars each year to help preserve habitat, slow pollution rates, and protect endangered species.

However, all these efforts are not enough. No matter how much money these organizations raise, the vast majority of people across the globe do not know about the problem or do not contribute to solving it. To help endangered species survive, everyone needs to pitch in. People need to be educated about the problem, its solutions, and what they can do to help. When people band together to help an threatened animal, species, or habitat, they can get extraordinary things done. In Colorado Springs, a large natural area with beautiful views and important wildlife habitat was slated to be bulldozed and turned into huge condo complexes. The people of the town rose up and refused to let this happen, fighting the city for rights to the land. Eventually, the area was preserved as a public park and wildlife area.

Ordinary people play critical roles in helping identify threatened species and making sure that they receive the necessary protection, as proved in a study conducted by Berry Brosi, a scientist at Emory University, and Erik Biber, a professor of law at University of California. The government often takes a long time to evaluate the risk to the species and even longer to allocate resources to make sure they are protected. Individual people and groups working together can change this.“Calls to streamline the Endangered Species Act and to rely exclusively on Fish and Wildlife Services to identify and list species might mean that a significant number of species that deserve legal protection -- especially those that are politically unpopular because of the potential to obstruct development projects -- would be left out in the cold.” (Huffington Post)

This is why the actions of people are so important. It is our duty to make our voices heard to protect endangered species and their habitats, especially since they cannot do it themselves. State and government conservation agencies are also affected by policy changes and budget cuts that are put into place by legislators. Getting involved in legislation, whether it be by lobbying or contacting representatives and urging them to vote on certain issues, is crucial. Even little things, like organizing community gardens and parks, limiting chemical usage and pollution, or volunteering at local parks and nature preserves can be extremely helpful. The people are the ones that need to pave the way for protection of endangered species, for if we don't, who will?

Sources:

• "Impact of habitat loss on species." WWF Global. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 16 Nov 2013. <http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/species/problems/habitat_loss_degradation/>.
  
  
• "People Power Essential to Saving Endangered Species."Huffington Post. 22 Aug 2012: n. page. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/noah-greenwald/people-power-essential-to_b_1819398.html>.

• United States of America. Fish and Wildlife Services. Finding Solutions to Habitat Loss. Print. <http://www.fws.gov/birds/documents/HabitatLoss.pdf>.