“in nature, nothing exists alone” – Rachel Carson, 1962
Nature’s gifts to our planet are the millions of species that we know and love, and many more that remain to be discovered. Unfortunately, human beings have irrevocably upset the balance of nature and, as a result, the world is facing the greatest rate of extinction since we lost the dinosaurs more than 60 million years ago.
The unprecedented global destruction and rapid reduction of plant and wildlife populations are directly linked to causes driven by human activity: climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, trafficking and poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and pesticides to name a few. The impacts are far reaching.
All living things have an intrinsic value, and each plays a unique role in the complex web of life.
The good news is that the rate of extinctions can still be slowed, and many of our declining, threatened and endangered species can still recover if we work together now to build a united global movement of consumers, voters, educators, faith leaders, and scientists to demand immediate action.
Earth Day Network is asking people to join our Protect our Species campaign.
Educate yourself on the impact you can make!
“Earth Day 2019 – Protect Our Species.” Earth Day Network, http://www.earthday.org/campaigns/endangered-species/earthday2019/.
Freshwater animal populations have plummeted by 75% since 1970.
Theme: Freshwater Pearls
Bird populations have been reduced by about 20-25%.
Theme: Birds
Marine animal populations have fallen by 40% overall.
Almost 50% of the world’s coral reefs have died in the last 30 years
Theme: Marine and coral reefs
Insect populations have also declined dramatically. In Germany alone, insects have declined by 75% in the last 30 years.
Theme: Insects
Land-dwelling wildlife species have declined by 40% since 1970.
Theme: Land-dwellers
