Environmental Essay

Authors Avatar

How Global Warming Affects the Future of our Wildlife

Taylor Dubois

Native Studies 30

October 2009

        "By the time you finish this [essay], one species will become extinct. By this time tomorrow, a further 150 will disappear; a year from now, so will 50,000 more" (Walker 222 Chatelaine Nov. 2009). Many species are becoming extinct due to the effects of global warming. It is said that nearly 80 percent of approximately 1,500 wildlife species studied, are currently showing signs of stress and endangerment because of climate change. People continue to contaminate our environment and it continues to put a strain on the animal kingdom. Changes in migration patterns are appearing, loss of food is a major issue, and loss of habitat and habitat displacement are becoming "disastrous for a multitude of species" (www.answerbag.com/articles/effect-of-global-warming-on-animals/40a09cb7-dd99-bf33-7cbb-a3fdab539b29). Global warming is a serious concern to a lot of people, but it is not projected as a major issue. Around the world, individuals need to see that effects it has on our wildlife and try to change their lifestyles, in order to shape our future.

        Since global warming is putting a toll on our animal species, the animals are being forced to alter their migration patterns, in order to adapt to the climate conditions, or be forced to not migrate at all. This creates difficulties for the animals that seek alternative migration habitats. The effects of temperature change is exceptionally hurtful towards particular species because of their way of life. For example, birds may have to fly further south to obtain warmer climates, or hibernating animals may have to end their slumbers earlier than usual, due to high temperatures.  "Animals that migrate depending on seasonally-linked phenomena, such as the formation of ice...and the availability of seasonal foods...suffer, when the environmental condition around their migratory destination changes" (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/global-warming-effects-on-animals.html). Due to the continuous shifts in temperature, certain species are being forced to migrate sooner in the season, or travel to higher or lower elevations to accommodate their specific needs. The incessant drops in temperature, will continue to negatively affect all aspects of our wildlife, if the world does not do something to modify it's current lifestyle.

Join now!

        The significant decrease in available food for our world's animals, also puts tension on their own development. Deforestation is a significant factor in the shortage of food for animals. This is the process where humans destroy a forest and replace it with something to further our economic expansion. "With deforestation, many tress and other plants, that provide food to herbivorous animals no longer exist, causing death due to starvation and malnutrition. This in turn has taken its toll on all other omnivorous and carnivorous animals too, making the entire animal life susceptible to extinction" (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/global-warming-effects-on-animals.html). Also, when animals realize ...

This is a preview of the whole essay