The challenge of conservation of flora and fauna

Transcription

1 2012 RELS : ISSN: The challenge of conservation of flora and fauna Res. Environ. Life Sci. rel_sci@yahoo.com 5(4) (2012) : The challenge of conservation of flora and fauna A. K. Mittal* Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi * profakmittal@gmail.com (Received: March 15, 2012; Revised received: September 20, 2012; Accepted: October 03, 2012) Abstract: The increase in the levels of emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from human activities, such as the large-scale burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gases) to operate power plants and automobiles, farming activities and land-use changes, results in the increase the percentage of heat that is trapped inside the earth s atmosphere. Humans are currently releasing 70 million tonnes of CO 2 per day into the atmosphere. With excessive greenhouse gas build-up, the earth s atmosphere warms up and results in rise of temperature. Population explosion, though undeniably the root cause of global warming, has so far been largely overlooked. Key words: Global warming, GHGs, N 2 O, CH 4, CO 2, CFC s, Climate change, Biodiversity, threatened specie, Introduction The origin of the term global warming is traced back to a 1975 scientific paper titled, Are we on the brink of a pronounced global warming? It was later made famous, and stop global warming became the slogan of a generation, after the testimony of NASA climate scientist James Hansen in front of the U.S. Senate in What is Global Warming Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere of the Earth s surface and in the troposphere. It has direct influence on global climate patterns or in other term Global warming results in Climate change, i.e. substantial change in Earth s climate that lasts for an extended period. The definition can be understood by following the average temperature of earth s surface. The average temperature of the Earth s surface has increased by an estimated 0.6 C in the 20th century (Fig 1a). According to the most recent projections of thxe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, average temperature of the Earth s surface could rise 1.4 to 5.8 C above the 1990 average by 2100 (Stefen, 2010; jonson, 2010; Wallace, 1975). Cause of global warming Global warming can occur from a variety of causes. These includes natural factors e.g., volcanic eruptions and accidental forest fires (Fig 1b-d) and human activities e.g., population explosion, burning of the fossil fuels, industrialization, excessive use of automobiles and so on (Fig 1e-g). All these things are responsible for the release of green house gases into the environment. In common usage, global warming often refers to the warming that can occur because of increased emissions of greenhouse gases chiefly from human activities (Eric, 2008). In the atmosphere, gases such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), water vapour, ozone, and fluorinated gases act like a greenhouse around the earth. This means that these gases let the heat from the Sun into the atmosphere, but do not allow the heat to escape back into space. Therefore, these gases are called greenhouse gases (Fig 1h). The earth could not exist in its present state (i.e., with life) without the presence of some naturally occurring greenhouse gases. Without any greenhouse gases no heat would be trapped in atmosphere, so the earth would be extremely cold. UN estimates around 8 to 10 billion human footfalls on the planet by 2050 a whopping 50% increase from the present world population as shown in figure, It is estimated that world population is increasing at a very fast rate (1.8% per year). It was one billion in 1800 and has increased to 6.5 billion in With this rate, after 780 years, the space available on earth will be 1 meter 2 per person, and after 2400 years, the total mass of people will be equal to the mass of the earth. Many fold increase in population will result in severe loss of biodiversity, adverse effect on climatic conditions, rise in pollution in air, water and soil and deforestation (Fig 2) (Jouzel, 2008). Impact of global warming: Global warming has a negative impact over the living things on Earth and on Earth itself. The effects of such a temperature increase might include (Siegenthaler, 2005; Spahni, 2005; Personanl Palmer, 2000): An increase in the variability of climate, with changes in both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Alterations to the distribution of certain infectious diseases. A decrease in snow cover: satellite observations suggest that the area of the planet covered by snow has already declined by 10 per cent since the 1960s (Fig 3a). Rise in sea levels. Scientific research indicates sea levels worldwide have been rising at a rate of 0.14 inches per year since the early 1990s. The trend, linked to global warming, puts thousands of coastal cities, like Venice, Italy, and even whole islands at risk of being claimed by the ocean. In most climatechange models, sea levels are predicted to rise by 9 to 88 centimetres by 2100, due to the thermal expansion of the oceans and the melting of polar ice-caps (Fig 3b). Coupled with the effects of storm surges, which are expected to be of a greater magnitude in a warmer world, coastal ecosystems, Research in Environment and Life Sciences 157 Special Issue Editor: Dr. J.P.N. Singh

2 Fig. 1: a) Graph showing global temperatures in different years; b) Volcanic eruption; c) forest fires; d) forest fire view in higher magnification; e) emission of gases from industries; f) population explosion; g) rampant increase in automobiles; h) diagram to show mechanism of green house effect such as mangrove forests and low-lying freshwater wetlands could be severely affected. Forest burst into flames, more often than ever before. This happens because spring comes earlier, thus causing the snow to melt and the woods to remain dry for longer periods than before. This is the main cause of the scary fires. The melting of glaciers on top of mountains is causing them to become taller! This happens because the ice that was pushing them against the surface of earth since thousands of years is no longer there and hence, the surface is slowly getting back in place, thus lifting mountains in the same time. Animals feel the effects of global warming much more than we do, that it for sure: today, such animals as chipmunks or mice look for higher altitudes to move their homes to, because of the climate change that makes their former homes too hot for them (Fig 3c, d). At the same time, Arctic animals will be looking for a new home soon as well because the sea ice is slowly melting (Fig 3e). Impact of Global Warming on Planet s Biodiversity Global warming represents one of the most important threats to our planet s biodiversity. Plants and animals, even far from human habitation, are now endangered due to global warming. Previous studies outlined the extensive ongoing biological changes in living systems; however, few efforts have been made to assess the potential effects of global warming on biodiversity on a global scale. It is predicted that many unique habitats will be lost as climate change brings rapid changes to the environment. In the worst case Research in Environment and Life Sciences 158

3 Fig. 2: Diagrammatic representation of population growth, its impact on the planet and ways to control population Fig. 3: a) Satellite image showing decrease in the area of the planet covered by snow; b) Model representing predicted rise in sea levels due to global warming; c, d) Photographs of threatened animal species (c) squirrel, (d) chipmunk; e) Arctic animals e.g. Polar beer to seek new homes on the loss of habitat after global warming Research in Environment and Life Sciences 159

4 Fig. 4. a) Threatened animals that will be extinct due to global warming; b) biodiversity impact scale showing predicted extinction of flora and fauna as the global temperature increases. Fig.5: Alternate sources of energies a) solar energy; b) wind energy Fig.6: Diagram showing that all of us have collective responsibility to save our Earth. Research in Environment and Life Sciences 160

5 scenario, the doubling of present carbon dioxide levels (as predicted by many climatologists) and resulting temperatures rises could potentially eliminate 56,000 plant and 3,700 endemic vertebrate species in different regions (Fig 4a, b) (NCR, 2008; World Bank, 2010). Elevated CO 2 levels increase acidity of the oceans by dumping more carbonic acid into the waters. Of the 70 million tonnes of CO 2 released per day into the atmosphere, 25 million tonnes are soaked up by the oceans and converted into carbonic acid. This increasing acidification has made it difficult for coral polyps to capture calcium from the waters. These polyps need the calcium to make calcium carbonate, a chief ingredient in shells of marine invertebrate organisms. Coral reefs, therefore, face bleaching (whitening and death because of death of the algal symbionts and the polyps) at large-scale levels. Global warming could likewise directly affect human fishery industry. How does climate change affect biodiversity? 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. Global warming increases the frequency and intensity of oceanic upwelling, a phenomenon in which nutrients from the bottom are periodically brought up to surface waters. Such natural upwelling is excellent for many wildlife species in the marine ecosystems (such as the coasts of Peru, which is known for its abundant marine life). Nevertheless, the increased upwelling is feared to precipitate a global fish production decline due to reduction in the concentration and retention processes (USGCRP, 2009). Solutions First and foremost requirement is to reduce the emission of the greenhouse gases. Most of the corrective measures pertain mainly to the industrialized world, such as developing alternate sources of energy e.g., solar energy and wind energy (Fig 5) rather than depending heavily on fossil fuels, or manufacturing more petrol efficient automobiles. Increase in population is one of the measure issues and its growth has to be controlled substantially. Preventing even a few births would result in significant reduction of emissions that too at a cost that would be as little as one-thousandth of the technological remedies. In tropical biomes the big issue is preserving ecosystems that absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide. This measure would encourage the cessation of rampant clearing of tropical forests for conversion to agricultural production. Conclusions There is ample evidence that global warming has started negatively affecting a wide variety of organisms worldwide. Extinctions have started, and many species of flora and fauna are being pushed closer to extinction or local extermination as a direct or indirect result of climate change. Since this is a problem that has been created by humans, it behoves us to solve it. It is morally reprehensible if we do not. In the words of Professor E. O. Wilson, The loss of species is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us. So for the sake of posterity and for the very future of our planet s biodiversity, let us curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the threat of global warming (Fig 6). Save Earth. We Have Nowhere Else To Go! Nature Saves Us, We Have to Save Nature References Erik, Conway: What s in a name? global warming vs. climate change, NASA, (2008). Jouzel, J.: High-resolution carbon dioxide concentration record 650, ,000 years before present. Nature, 453: (2008). NRC: Understanding and responding to climate change. Board on atmospheric sciences and climate, US National Academy of Sciences. p. 2 (2008). Pearson, P.N. Palmer, M.R.: Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations over the past 60 million years. Nature, 406: (2000) Siegenthaler, U.: Stable carbon cycle climate relationship during the late pleistocene. Science 310: (2005). Spahni, Renato: Atmospheric methane and nitrous oxide of the late pleistocene from antarctic ice cores. Science, 310: (2005). Stefan: Happy 35 th birthday, global warming!. Real Climate. The first of over 10,000 papers for this search term according to the ISI database of journal articles. Wally s World Foreign Policy (2010). USGCRP: Global climate change impacts in the United States. Karl, T.R., J.M. Melillo, and T.C. Peterson (eds.). United states global change research program. Cambridge University Press, New York, USA (1988). Wallace, B.: Climatic change: Are we on the brink of a pronounced global warming? Science, 189: (1975). World Bank: World development report 2010: Development and climate change. the international bank for reconstruction and development. Washington DC (2010). Research in Environment and Life Sciences 161