The world is witnessing the vagaries of nature in the form of droughts and wildfires alongside sudden hurricanes, floods, and mudslides. These are some of the effects of Global warming. Unless it is controlled, it will lead to large-scale loss of many species of plants and animals. Climate scientists associated with the WWF have warned that the survival of nearly half of all plants and animals in 35 of the world's most biodiverse places is at stake due to climate change.
CNN reports that the study was carried out by the University of East Anglia, the James Cook University, and the WWF. It concluded that plants and animals in wildlife-rich areas could face extinction if global temperatures continued to rise. The areas in the danger zone are the Amazon rainforest, the Galapagos Islands, southwest Australia and Madagascar.
Paris accord must be implemented
Climate is known to be unpredictable and forecasts are made based on past data available in different formats. However, global warming has a direct effect on our lives. The days are getting hotter, there are long periods of drought, and storms and floods have become regular features.
These, in turn, are affecting wildlife species around the world. WWF selected 35 places for their study based on the diversity of the plants and animals that are usually found there.
The study has revealed that controlling climate change is vital to maintaining the ecological balance. In case surrounding temperatures increase by 4.5 degrees Celsius, animals will suffer. The African elephants would face a shortage of water supplies as the watering holes would dry up. The tigers in the Sundarbans region of India would also be in danger because their breeding grounds could get submerged in water due to rising sea levels.
Prevent the emission of greenhouse gas
The 2015 Paris accord had drawn up a strategy to combat the evils of climate change.
The countries had to take measures to reduce the emission of greenhouse gas that is produced from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. These lead to global warming with corresponding disturbance of the ecosystems and many animals lose their natural habitats.
According to Channel News Asia, the Paris accord was meant to create awareness about the issues involved and encourage methods to curb CO2 emissions by going in for alternates to fossil fuels. Climate scientists feel a warming in excess of 3 degrees Celsius could result in sea level rise accompanied by superstorms, floods, and droughts. WWF feels that in case the warming goes up to 3.2 degrees Celsius, it could mean the extinction of many species. That would also affect local employment potentials as well as tourism that generates revenue.