There is a new album in the top five of the Aria charts in Australia. Incredibly, it is made up entirely of endangered Australian bird squawks and tweets.

Titled 'Songs of Disappearance', the album has eclipsed the likes of The Weeknd and Abba, as well as holiday favourites Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-backed-conspiracy-theories-grip-social-media-following-general-bipin-rawats-death-437309" hreflang="en">Pakistan-backed conspiracy theories grip social media following General Bipin Rawat's death</a>

Created by BirdLife Australia, the album features the birdsongs of 53 of the most threatened species in Australia.

The album was released on 3 December, and a social media campaign was launched to help it reach Australia's Aria music sales charts. Needless to say, the campaign worked -- 'Songs of Disappearance' has made history by becoming the first album of its kind to chart in the top five.

Proceeds from the sale of this album will go to BirdLife Australia's conservation projects.

Wildlife sound recordist David Stewart has been collecting often unheard sounds of Australian wildlife for about three decades. Bird recordings from his collection have been used for the album.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-the-first-time-since-1975-us-teens-record-significant-decline-in-drug-use-437268" hreflang="en">For the first time since 1975, US teens record significant decline in drug use</a>

Some sounds required hours of waiting in the bush to record just one short tweet.

"This album is a very special record with some rare recordings of birds that may not survive if we don't come together to protect them," BirdLife Australia CEO Paul Sullivan told The Music Network.

"While this campaign is fun, there's a serious side to what we're doing, and it's been heartening to see bird enthusiasts showing governments and businesses that Australians care about these important birds," he added.

You can listen to the album here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ta_eqF9qENw" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

A study by Charles Darwin University indicates that 216 out of 1,299 or one in six Australian bird species are now threatened. The study, which included the input of more than 300 bird experts, found that climate change was pushing species closer to extinction.

In the wake of the 2019 and 2020 bushfires destroying their habitats, BirdLife Australia estimates that the number of endangered bird species has increased by as much as 25 per cent.

(With inputs from agencies)

There is a new album in the top five of the Aria charts in Australia. Incredibly, it is made up entirely of endangered Australian bird squawks and tweets. Titled 'Songs of Disappearance', the album has eclipsed the likes of The Weeknd and Abba, as well as holiday favourites Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey.

There is a new album in the top five of the Aria charts in Australia. Incredibly, it is made up entirely of endangered Australian bird squawks and tweets. Titled 'Songs of Disappearance', the album has eclipsed the likes of The Weeknd and Abba, as well as holiday favourites Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey. Also read | Pakistan-backed conspiracy theories grip social media following General Bipin Rawat's death Created by BirdLife Australia, the album features the birdsongs of 53 of the most threatened species in Australia. The album was released on 3 December, and a social media campaign was launched to help it reach Australia's Aria music sales charts. Needless to say, the campaign worked -- 'Songs of Disappearance' has made history by becoming the first album of its kind to chart in the top five. Proceeds from the sale of this album will go to BirdLife Australia's conservation projects. Wildlife sound recordist David Stewart has been collecting often unheard sounds of Australian wildlife for about three decades. Bird recordings from his collection have been used for the album. Also read | For the first time since 1975, US teens record significant decline in drug use Some sounds required hours of waiting in the bush to record just one short tweet. "This album is a very special record with some rare recordings of birds that may not survive if we don't come together to protect them," BirdLife Australia CEO Paul Sullivan told The Music Network. "While this campaign is fun, there's a serious side to what we're doing, and it's been heartening to see bird enthusiasts showing governments and businesses that Australians care about these important birds," he added. You can listen to the album here: A study by Charles Darwin University indicates that 216 out of 1,299 or one in six Australian bird species are now threatened. The study, which included the input of more than 300 bird experts, found that climate change was pushing species closer to extinction. In the wake of the 2019 and 2020 bushfires destroying their habitats, BirdLife Australia estimates that the number of endangered bird species has increased by as much as 25 per cent. (With inputs from agencies)

'Songs of Disappearance': Spreading awareness, birdsong album overtakes music stars in Australia

On the occasion of World Soil Day, Sadhguru, Founder-Isha Foundation, has called for urgent steps to revive soil's organic content.

"For soil to be agricultural, it must contain a minimum of 3 per cent&nbsp;organic content,” the spiritual leader emphasised.

Taking to Twitter, Sadhguru said, “Living Soil, our very body, is moving towards extinction. Addressing this with utmost urgency is the most important Responsibility that all nations have to fulfill. #ConsciousPlanet. Let Us Make It Happen".

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Living Soil, our very body, is moving towards extinction. Addressing this with utmost urgency is the most important Responsibility that all nations have to fulfill. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ConsciousPlanet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ConsciousPlanet</a>. Let Us Make It Happen. - Sg <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSoilDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSoilDay</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveSoil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaveSoil</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNCCD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNCCD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNEP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNEP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FAO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FAO</a> <a href="https://t.co/c3oG2qWcJb">pic.twitter.com/c3oG2qWcJb</a>
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) <a href="https://twitter.com/SadhguruJV/status/1467365618462695424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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To fight the threat of desertification in the world, Sadhguru says that preserving the biodiversity of the soil is the single most significant and urgent concern on the planet today. "Our attention has to shift to the soil,” he said.

As part of this, Sadhguru would be unfolding a movement to save soil called “Conscious Planet”. “Right now, it looks like climate change and ecology are the playgrounds of the rich and elite. This must change. Individual human beings should become conscious about the danger that we are facing," he said.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/fires-floods-flying-insects-climate-fuelled-disasters-that-wreaked-havoc-across-world-432546">Fires, floods, flying insects: Climate-fuelled disasters that wreaked havoc across world</a>

"Ecological issues must become election issues. Governments must be elected for their concern for ecological issues," the spiritual leader, who championed "Rally for Rivers" campaign in 2017 and the "Cauvery Calling" movement in 2019, added.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has shared alarming facts in its report. "Every year, 75 billion tons of fertile soil is lost to land degradation. Similarly, 12 million hectares of land are lost every year to desertification and drought alone. This is an area that could produce 20 million tons of grain," the UNCCD has stated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/melting-arctic-is-a-bonanza-for-the-oceans-natural-born-killers-434066">Also read |&nbsp;Melting Arctic is a bonanza for the ocean’s natural born killers</a>

The United Nations agencies have also brought forward that the world is left with agricultural soil for 80-100 crops, or another 45-60 years. 80% of the biomass insects have disappeared over the last 30 years and it is predicted that within 45 to 50 years, there will be an inevitable food crisis on the planet, which will bring tremendous chaos and suffering to populations around the world.

With much attention being directed at carbon, emissions, and pollution as fundamental environmental issues, Sadhguru prompts everyone to distinguish between ecological issues and civic issues that can be addressed and reversed with the needed awareness and law enforcement. The real issue, he contends, is soil extinction.

"Soil is a very significant carbon sink, the largest water soak on the planet, and the basis of all life. The 36-39 inches of topsoil on average around the planet is the basis of 87 per cent&nbsp;of life on the planet. The very body that we carry is soil. Without soil being rich and well, this body and every other life cannot be well,” he said.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

On the occasion of World Soil Day, Sadhguru, Founder-Isha Foundation, has called for urgent steps to revive soil's organic content. "For soil to be agricultural, it must contain a minimum of 3 per cent organic content,” the spiritual leader emphasised.

On the occasion of World Soil Day, Sadhguru, Founder-Isha Foundation, has called for urgent steps to revive soil's organic content. "For soil to be agricultural, it must contain a minimum of 3 per cent organic content,” the spiritual leader emphasised. Taking to Twitter, Sadhguru said, “Living Soil, our very body, is moving towards extinction. Addressing this with utmost urgency is the most important Responsibility that all nations have to fulfill. #ConsciousPlanet. Let Us Make It Happen". Living Soil, our very body, is moving towards extinction. Addressing this with utmost urgency is the most important Responsibility that all nations have to fulfill. #ConsciousPlanet. Let Us Make It Happen. - Sg #WorldSoilDay#SaveSoil @UNCCD @UNEP @FAO pic.twitter.com/c3oG2qWcJb — Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 5, 2021 × To fight the threat of desertification in the world, Sadhguru says that preserving the biodiversity of the soil is the single most significant and urgent concern on the planet today. "Our attention has to shift to the soil,” he said. As part of this, Sadhguru would be unfolding a movement to save soil called “Conscious Planet”. “Right now, it looks like climate change and ecology are the playgrounds of the rich and elite. This must change. Individual human beings should become conscious about the danger that we are facing," he said. Also see | Fires, floods, flying insects: Climate-fuelled disasters that wreaked havoc across world "Ecological issues must become election issues. Governments must be elected for their concern for ecological issues," the spiritual leader, who championed "Rally for Rivers" campaign in 2017 and the "Cauvery Calling" movement in 2019, added. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has shared alarming facts in its report. "Every year, 75 billion tons of fertile soil is lost to land degradation. Similarly, 12 million hectares of land are lost every year to desertification and drought alone. This is an area that could produce 20 million tons of grain," the UNCCD has stated. Also read | Melting Arctic is a bonanza for the ocean’s natural born killers The United Nations agencies have also brought forward that the world is left with agricultural soil for 80-100 crops, or another 45-60 years. 80% of the biomass insects have disappeared over the last 30 years and it is predicted that within 45 to 50 years, there will be an inevitable food crisis on the planet, which will bring tremendous chaos and suffering to populations around the world. With much attention being directed at carbon, emissions, and pollution as fundamental environmental issues, Sadhguru prompts everyone to distinguish between ecological issues and civic issues that can be addressed and reversed with the needed awareness and law enforcement. The real issue, he contends, is soil extinction. "Soil is a very significant carbon sink, the largest water soak on the planet, and the basis of all life. The 36-39 inches of topsoil on average around the planet is the basis of 87 per cent of life on the planet. The very body that we carry is soil. Without soil being rich and well, this body and every other life cannot be well,” he said. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Soil moving towards extinction, urgent steps needed: Sadhguru on World Soil Day

American biologist Edward Osborne Wilson has a message for the world and states that the time to act on climate change is now and that several species are at the risk of extinction.

Species at risk of extinction, warning from the modern-day Darwin Edward Wilson

As Cop26 is set to begin in a few days, the United Nations Development Programme released a video of Frankie, the talking dinosaur, in an attempt to warn the world about climate disasters.

The dinosaur urged the world not to choose extinction.&nbsp;

"You're headed for a climate disaster, and yet every year governments spend hundreds of billions of public funds on fossil fuel subsidies. Think of all the other things you could do with that money. Around the world, people are living in poverty. Don't you think helping them would make more sense than paying for the demise of your entire species?", the dinosaur said, standing at the podium of the UN General Assembly.

The talking dinosaur urged the people to rebuild their economies and 'bounce back' from this pandemic.&nbsp;"This is humanity's big chance," the dinosaur said as he urged the people to not choose extinction and save their species.&nbsp;

"We can’t ignore climate change any longer. Unless we end the excuses, we’ll be another species facing extinction," said UNDP as they published the video of the dinosaur.&nbsp;

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We can’t ignore <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateChange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateChange</a> any longer. Unless we end the excuses, we’ll be another species facing extinction. 
 
Join us and <a href="https://twitter.com/frankiethedino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FrankieTheDino</a>, and let's take <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateAction</a> before it’s too late: <a href="https://t.co/vf7PQ2oLeR">https://t.co/vf7PQ2oLeR</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DontChooseExtinction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DontChooseExtinction</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COP26</a> <a href="https://t.co/lwAXw4FCYI">pic.twitter.com/lwAXw4FCYI</a>
— UN Development (@UNDP) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNDP/status/1453210331308691459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/due-to-fuel-shortages-china-rations-diesel-424700">Also read |&nbsp;Due to fuel shortages, China rations diesel&nbsp;</a>

Meanwhile, the UK president-designate of the Cop26 talks, Alok Sharma, has said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow will be harder than signing the Paris agreement of 2015.&nbsp;

He further said that the task would be to get nearly 200 countries to implement stringent cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind the increase in global temperature to within 1.5C of pre-industrial levels.

Sharma was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "What we’re trying to do here in Glasgow is actually really tough."

“It was brilliant what they did in Paris, it was a framework agreement, a lot of the detailed rules were left for the future."

“It’s like, we’ve got to the end of the exam paper and the most difficult questions are left and you’re running out of time, the exam’s over in half an hour and you go, ‘How are we going to answer this one?'

Also, world’s top carbon emitters are now urging the rich countries to do more to finance the developing world’s transition away from fossil fuels.&nbsp;

As Cop26 is set to begin in a few days, the United Nations Development Programme released a video of Frankie, the talking dinosaur, in an attempt to warn the world about climate disasters.

As Cop26 is set to begin in a few days, the United Nations Development Programme released a video of Frankie, the talking dinosaur, in an attempt to warn the world about climate disasters. The dinosaur urged the world not to choose extinction. "You're headed for a climate disaster, and yet every year governments spend hundreds of billions of public funds on fossil fuel subsidies. Think of all the other things you could do with that money. Around the world, people are living in poverty. Don't you think helping them would make more sense than paying for the demise of your entire species?", the dinosaur said, standing at the podium of the UN General Assembly. The talking dinosaur urged the people to rebuild their economies and 'bounce back' from this pandemic. "This is humanity's big chance," the dinosaur said as he urged the people to not choose extinction and save their species. "We can’t ignore climate change any longer. Unless we end the excuses, we’ll be another species facing extinction," said UNDP as they published the video of the dinosaur. We can’t ignore #ClimateChange any longer. Unless we end the excuses, we’ll be another species facing extinction. Join us and @FrankieTheDino, and let's take #ClimateAction before it’s too late: https://t.co/vf7PQ2oLeR#DontChooseExtinction #COP26 pic.twitter.com/lwAXw4FCYI — UN Development (@UNDP) October 27, 2021 × Also read | Due to fuel shortages, China rations diesel Meanwhile, the UK president-designate of the Cop26 talks, Alok Sharma, has said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow will be harder than signing the Paris agreement of 2015. He further said that the task would be to get nearly 200 countries to implement stringent cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind the increase in global temperature to within 1.5C of pre-industrial levels. Sharma was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "What we’re trying to do here in Glasgow is actually really tough." “It was brilliant what they did in Paris, it was a framework agreement, a lot of the detailed rules were left for the future." “It’s like, we’ve got to the end of the exam paper and the most difficult questions are left and you’re running out of time, the exam’s over in half an hour and you go, ‘How are we going to answer this one?' Also, world’s top carbon emitters are now urging the rich countries to do more to finance the developing world’s transition away from fossil fuels.

'Humanity's big chance': Talking dinosaur Frankie urges world leaders to not choose extinction

As per Europe's “red list” report, one in five bird species is now at risk. The BirdLife International analysis, which is based on observations of 544 native bird species, reveals that various birds of the European ecosystems are disappearing. Since the last report in 2015, three species have become regionally extinct in Europe.&nbsp;

These include Pallas’s sandgrouse, common buttonquail and pine bunting.

In total, 30 per cent of species assessed have shown population decline. At a European level, 13 per cent of birds are threatened with extinction and a further 6 per cent are near threatened. The data is based on millions of observations made since 1980.

Anna Staneva, interim head of conservation, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "The results are alarming but we are not surprised. We’re running out of time, the clock is ticking. We don’t want to see the dramatic changes we’re seeing now happening in the next five or 10 years."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-24-year-old-rumeysa-gelgi-titled-as-tallest-woman-living-420736">Also read |&nbsp;Turkey’s 24-year-old Rumeysa Gelgi titled as tallest woman living</a>

The findings, collected in 2019, are based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria applied at the regional level. They compile conclusions from the State of Nature in the EU 2013-2018 report, which found only a quarter of species have good conservation status.&nbsp;

Loss of habitat, intensification of agriculture, the overexploitation of resources, pollution and unsustainable forestry practices are included in the report. Climate crisis is also considered as a growing factor.&nbsp;

Staneva was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "These are big, large-scale threats which we call systemic threats, and they’re very much related to the way our society works and how we use resources."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-spotted-smiling-and-clapping-as-soldiers-lie-on-bed-of-nails-420694">Also read |&nbsp;Kim Jong Un spotted smiling and clapping as soldiers lie on bed of nails</a>

“It’s a signal that something is seriously going wrong around us. We need to change the way we live, that is the key message coming from our results.”

Another threatened species is the common swift. Rooks and common snipe are also now considered vulnerable due to sharp declines since 2015.&nbsp;

In order for the species to be placed in the near-threatened category, the population has to have declined by 25 per cent over three generations. When declines are greater than 30 per cent they enter the threatened category.

As per Europe's “red list” report, one in five bird species is now at risk. The BirdLife International analysis, which is based on observations of 544 native bird species, reveals that various birds of the European ecosystems are disappearing.

As per Europe's “red list” report, one in five bird species is now at risk. The BirdLife International analysis, which is based on observations of 544 native bird species, reveals that various birds of the European ecosystems are disappearing. Since the last report in 2015, three species have become regionally extinct in Europe. These include Pallas’s sandgrouse, common buttonquail and pine bunting. In total, 30 per cent of species assessed have shown population decline. At a European level, 13 per cent of birds are threatened with extinction and a further 6 per cent are near threatened. The data is based on millions of observations made since 1980. Anna Staneva, interim head of conservation, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "The results are alarming but we are not surprised. We’re running out of time, the clock is ticking. We don’t want to see the dramatic changes we’re seeing now happening in the next five or 10 years." Also read | Turkey’s 24-year-old Rumeysa Gelgi titled as tallest woman living The findings, collected in 2019, are based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria applied at the regional level. They compile conclusions from the State of Nature in the EU 2013-2018 report, which found only a quarter of species have good conservation status. Loss of habitat, intensification of agriculture, the overexploitation of resources, pollution and unsustainable forestry practices are included in the report. Climate crisis is also considered as a growing factor. Staneva was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "These are big, large-scale threats which we call systemic threats, and they’re very much related to the way our society works and how we use resources." Also read | Kim Jong Un spotted smiling and clapping as soldiers lie on bed of nails “It’s a signal that something is seriously going wrong around us. We need to change the way we live, that is the key message coming from our results.” Another threatened species is the common swift. Rooks and common snipe are also now considered vulnerable due to sharp declines since 2015. In order for the species to be placed in the near-threatened category, the population has to have declined by 25 per cent over three generations. When declines are greater than 30 per cent they enter the threatened category.

Europe: One in five bird species moving towards extinction

There is increasing concern among environmentalists that biodiversity is declining in Australia. Environmentalists have urged the Australian government to do more in order to stem a decline in biodiversity.

Xinhua news agency reports that environmental groups have urged Environment Minister Sussan Ley to make a pledge on halting biodiversity loss at the UN Biodiversity Conference.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/world-animal-day-2021-conservation-efforts-bring-animals-back-from-extinction-in-wild-418112">World Animal Day 2021: Conservation efforts bring animals back from extinction in wild</a>

Despite committing to a global goal of conserving at least 30 per cent of land by 2030, Australia hasn't made any specific pledges.

According to Brendan Wintle, director of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Australia risks becoming a "global pariah" on the issue.

As per his estimates, Australia needs to spend up to two billion ($2 billion) Australian dollars ($1.4 billion) a year to curb biodiversity loss.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/wildlife-on-a-glidepath-to-mass-extinction-red-list-chief-410711">Wildlife on a glidepath to 'mass extinction': Red List chief</a>

"We can afford it, but we're not doing it, and that's on our leadership and our society," Wintle was quoted by Nine Entertainment newspapers in a report.

Over 7 million hectares of threatened species habitat have been cleared in Australia since 2000, mainly for agriculture.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/australia-13-more-species-have-now-gone-extinct-367675">Australia: 13 more species have now gone extinct</a>

Earlier this year, government officials acknowledged that 13 native Australian species, including 12 mammals, have gone extinct. Counting these species, Australia has now lost 34 mammal species.

In the view of Nat Pelle of the Australian Conservation Foundation, the country has more at stake owing to its rich biodiversity.

Watch | Gravitas: World Animal Day 2021

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-world-animal-day-2021-418259/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We should decide as a planet -- and Australia especially -- not to allow threatened species to become extinct," he said.

According to a spokesperson for Ley, the government is working on a biodiversity framework.

(With inputs from agencies)

There is increasing concern among environmentalists that biodiversity is declining in Australia. Environmentalists have urged the Australian government to do more in order to stem a decline in biodiversity.

There is increasing concern among environmentalists that biodiversity is declining in Australia. Environmentalists have urged the Australian government to do more in order to stem a decline in biodiversity. Xinhua news agency reports that environmental groups have urged Environment Minister Sussan Ley to make a pledge on halting biodiversity loss at the UN Biodiversity Conference. Also read | World Animal Day 2021: Conservation efforts bring animals back from extinction in wild Despite committing to a global goal of conserving at least 30 per cent of land by 2030, Australia hasn't made any specific pledges. According to Brendan Wintle, director of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Australia risks becoming a "global pariah" on the issue. As per his estimates, Australia needs to spend up to two billion ($2 billion) Australian dollars ($1.4 billion) a year to curb biodiversity loss. Also read | Wildlife on a glidepath to 'mass extinction': Red List chief "We can afford it, but we're not doing it, and that's on our leadership and our society," Wintle was quoted by Nine Entertainment newspapers in a report. Over 7 million hectares of threatened species habitat have been cleared in Australia since 2000, mainly for agriculture. Also read | Australia: 13 more species have now gone extinct Earlier this year, government officials acknowledged that 13 native Australian species, including 12 mammals, have gone extinct. Counting these species, Australia has now lost 34 mammal species. In the view of Nat Pelle of the Australian Conservation Foundation, the country has more at stake owing to its rich biodiversity. Watch | Gravitas: World Animal Day 2021 "We should decide as a planet -- and Australia especially -- not to allow threatened species to become extinct," he said. According to a spokesperson for Ley, the government is working on a biodiversity framework. (With inputs from agencies)

Environmentalists tell Australia, it 'needs more efforts to halt biodiversity decline'

World Animal Day 2021 (October 4) is perhaps a good time to reflect that thousands of species of birds and animals have gone extinct till now. The rate of extinction is such that even now, several species go extinct literally every day. This not only is bad for the environment but one day may even hurt mankind due to severely disturbed balance of nature. Serious efforts are needed to stop the worrying trend.

Fortunately, scientists are doing what they can to bring these animals back into the wild. Even when some species went extinct in the wild, scientists used translocation and captive breeding to make these species roam the wilds again.

However, this is easier said than done and a whole lot of precautions, research and data gathering is required before a species is successfully reintroduced in wild.

It's not just a matter of breeding an animal in captivity and then simply releasing it in wild. Reintroduction into the wild takes place in phases due to variety of reasons.

Foremost is the consideration that reintroduction should not disturb balance of the wild ecosystem the animal went extinct from. Once an animal goes extinct from its wild habitat, the ecosystem changes in order to adapt to the absence. New food chains may gradually develop and reintroduction of the animal may disturb the delicate balance again. Conservationists need to take into account threat to and from the animal that is being reintroduced.

However, all the conservation efforts over decades are gradually paying off. A study conducted in 2020 says that conservation action between 1993 and 2020 saved up to 48 species of birds and mammals from extinction.

Examples of some of these animals are Eurasian lynx, Tasmanian devil, Przewalski's horse, Red wolves and Eurasian beaver

World Animal Day 2021 (October 4) is perhaps a good time to reflect that thousands of species of birds and animals have gone extinct till now. The rate of extinction is such that even now, several species go extinct literally every day.

World Animal Day 2021 (October 4) is perhaps a good time to reflect that thousands of species of birds and animals have gone extinct till now. The rate of extinction is such that even now, several species go extinct literally every day. This not only is bad for the environment but one day may even hurt mankind due to severely disturbed balance of nature. Serious efforts are needed to stop the worrying trend. Fortunately, scientists are doing what they can to bring these animals back into the wild. Even when some species went extinct in the wild, scientists used translocation and captive breeding to make these species roam the wilds again. However, this is easier said than done and a whole lot of precautions, research and data gathering is required before a species is successfully reintroduced in wild. It's not just a matter of breeding an animal in captivity and then simply releasing it in wild. Reintroduction into the wild takes place in phases due to variety of reasons. Foremost is the consideration that reintroduction should not disturb balance of the wild ecosystem the animal went extinct from. Once an animal goes extinct from its wild habitat, the ecosystem changes in order to adapt to the absence. New food chains may gradually develop and reintroduction of the animal may disturb the delicate balance again. Conservationists need to take into account threat to and from the animal that is being reintroduced. However, all the conservation efforts over decades are gradually paying off. A study conducted in 2020 says that conservation action between 1993 and 2020 saved up to 48 species of birds and mammals from extinction. Examples of some of these animals are Eurasian lynx, Tasmanian devil, Przewalski's horse, Red wolves and Eurasian beaver

World Animal Day 2021: Conservation efforts bring animals back from extinction in wild

According to new research, the 2019–20 bushfires had a devastating impact on 11 species of native Australian bees.

The scientists in Australia have analysed the effect of the fires on 553 native bee species. Almost one-third of all species of bees discovered in the country to date. &nbsp;

In the analysis, 11 species are found to be eligible to get listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list of threatened species. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/people-in-this-country-sing-to-sharks-and-then-catch-them-by-hand-417406" hreflang="en">People in this country 'sing' to sharks and then catch them by hand</a>

Before the fires, only three Australian species of bees were threatened. &nbsp;

Two bee species, Leioproctus nigrofulvus or the solitary bee and Leioproctus carinatifrons, now fit the IUCN’s criteria for an endangered listing. During the bushfires, large areas of their native habitat were burnt. Nine bee species were assessed to be “vulnerable”. &nbsp;

Using publicly available data, the researchers modelled the bees’ extinction risk from the wildfires. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/la-palma-volcano-eruption-forces-stay-home-order-for-some-residents-417621" hreflang="en">La Palma volcano eruption forces stay-home order for some residents</a>

An adjunct lecturer at the University of Adelaide, study co-author Stefan Caddy-Retalic, said it was surprising that a single fire event pushed 11 species of bees much closer to extinction. &nbsp;

Although there are 1,654 known bee species in Australia, the scientists believe the real figure may be more. &nbsp;

“There are so many native bees that are still left to discover – a lot of these species are at risk of being lost before they’re even found, which is an incredible indictment on the impact that we’re having on Australia’s biodiversity,” Caddy-Retalic said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to new research, the 2019–20 bushfires had a devastating impact on 11 species of native Australian bees. The scientists in Australia have analysed the effect of the fires on 553 native bee species.

According to new research, the 2019–20 bushfires had a devastating impact on 11 species of native Australian bees. The scientists in Australia have analysed the effect of the fires on 553 native bee species. Almost one-third of all species of bees discovered in the country to date. In the analysis, 11 species are found to be eligible to get listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list of threatened species. Also Read: People in this country 'sing' to sharks and then catch them by hand Before the fires, only three Australian species of bees were threatened. Two bee species, Leioproctus nigrofulvus or the solitary bee and Leioproctus carinatifrons, now fit the IUCN’s criteria for an endangered listing. During the bushfires, large areas of their native habitat were burnt. Nine bee species were assessed to be “vulnerable”. Using publicly available data, the researchers modelled the bees’ extinction risk from the wildfires. Also Read: La Palma volcano eruption forces stay-home order for some residents An adjunct lecturer at the University of Adelaide, study co-author Stefan Caddy-Retalic, said it was surprising that a single fire event pushed 11 species of bees much closer to extinction. Although there are 1,654 known bee species in Australia, the scientists believe the real figure may be more. “There are so many native bees that are still left to discover – a lot of these species are at risk of being lost before they’re even found, which is an incredible indictment on the impact that we’re having on Australia’s biodiversity,” Caddy-Retalic said. (With inputs from agencies)

Bushfires pushed 11 bee species towards extinction in Australia

Nearly 30 percent of the 138,374 species assessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List are at risk of extinction, the global conservation body reported Saturday.

Habitat loss, overexploitation and illegal trade have hammered global wildlife populations for decades, and climate change is now kicking in as a direct threat, the head of the IUCN's Red List Unit told AFP in an interview.

Q. Are we in or on the cusp of the sixth mass extinction? 
If we look at extinctions every 100 years since 1500, there is a marked inflection starting in the 1900s. The trend is showing that we are 100 to 1,000 times higher than the 'background', or normal, extinction rates. I would certainly say that the red list status shows that we're on the cusp of the sixth extinction event [in the last 500 million years]. &nbsp;

If the trends carry on going upward at that rate, we'll be facing a major crisis soon.

Q: The Red List began in 1964. Has it changed much? 
A: The initial list wasn't really based on scientific criteria. It was more of a gut feel: 'We think the species is under some degree of threat'. &nbsp;But as the list started to grow, we realised that we needed to make the list scientifically defensible. So we took a big step back and asked: 'What is it we are trying to measure?'&nbsp;

The answer was quite simple: risk of extinction.

Q: Are there species that would have gone extinct without the Red List? 
A: There are lots of species around the world that we would almost certainly have lost. The Red List process drew attention, for example, to the plight of the Arabian oryx and led to conservation efforts -- taking the animals out of the wild, captive breeding, reintroductions. We've seen species very nearly extinct that are thriving now.

Q: Does the Red List make recommendations? 
A: The Red List is not policy prescriptive, it's really just a statement of fact –- this is what the status of the species is. Then it's up to the decision makers to interpret that and decide what policies should be enacted.

Q: Do you ever come under pressure over the listings? 
A: There is lots of lobbying. Surprisingly, it's not so much about the up-listing to a higher threat level. For some high-profile charismatic species, if you want to down-list them because there has been successful conservation actions, we often get lobbied very, very hard to not do that.&nbsp;

There's real concern that if a species goes down a category, that conservation investment will stop. This is where the 'green status' will really help.

Q. What is the green status? 
A: &nbsp;After you've done the Red List assessment, what are you going to do about it? This is where we started talking about the green status. How do you measure whether your conservation actions are being successful? If we hadn't done anything, where would it be now? If we stopped all conservation efforts now, what will happen to that species going forward? Those are the metrics in the green status process.

Q: Couldn't that lead to species conservation triage? 
A: &nbsp;There's a limited amount of funding available and vast number of species. It does come down to some really harsh realities. You're obligated to just let some species go extinct because we really can't save them.&nbsp;

But it's not something we tackle head on in the Red List process. We effectively pass the buck on to others to make those very hard decisions.

Q: Climate change is rarely cited as a driver of extinction. Why is that? 
A: It is obvious for the polar bears because of the direct link between sea ice cover and global warming, but with other megafauna it's a lot harder to detect the impacts of climate change.&nbsp;

There is evidence pointing to climate change for the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires. But when experts record threats to a species they may put 'increased fire frequency', not climate change. &nbsp;

The chytrid fungus is wiping out amphibians all around the world, and we are pretty sure that its emergence is very much linked to climate change. But with the evidence we have now, the category of threat is invasive species, not climate change. &nbsp;

Nearly 30 percent of the 138,374 species assessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List are at risk of extinction, the global conservation body reported Saturday.

Nearly 30 percent of the 138,374 species assessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List are at risk of extinction, the global conservation body reported Saturday. Habitat loss, overexploitation and illegal trade have hammered global wildlife populations for decades, and climate change is now kicking in as a direct threat, the head of the IUCN's Red List Unit told AFP in an interview. Q. Are we in or on the cusp of the sixth mass extinction? If we look at extinctions every 100 years since 1500, there is a marked inflection starting in the 1900s. The trend is showing that we are 100 to 1,000 times higher than the 'background', or normal, extinction rates. I would certainly say that the red list status shows that we're on the cusp of the sixth extinction event [in the last 500 million years]. If the trends carry on going upward at that rate, we'll be facing a major crisis soon. Q: The Red List began in 1964. Has it changed much? A: The initial list wasn't really based on scientific criteria. It was more of a gut feel: 'We think the species is under some degree of threat'. But as the list started to grow, we realised that we needed to make the list scientifically defensible. So we took a big step back and asked: 'What is it we are trying to measure?' The answer was quite simple: risk of extinction. Q: Are there species that would have gone extinct without the Red List? A: There are lots of species around the world that we would almost certainly have lost. The Red List process drew attention, for example, to the plight of the Arabian oryx and led to conservation efforts -- taking the animals out of the wild, captive breeding, reintroductions. We've seen species very nearly extinct that are thriving now. Q: Does the Red List make recommendations? A: The Red List is not policy prescriptive, it's really just a statement of fact –- this is what the status of the species is. Then it's up to the decision makers to interpret that and decide what policies should be enacted. Q: Do you ever come under pressure over the listings? A: There is lots of lobbying. Surprisingly, it's not so much about the up-listing to a higher threat level. For some high-profile charismatic species, if you want to down-list them because there has been successful conservation actions, we often get lobbied very, very hard to not do that. There's real concern that if a species goes down a category, that conservation investment will stop. This is where the 'green status' will really help. Q. What is the green status? A: After you've done the Red List assessment, what are you going to do about it? This is where we started talking about the green status. How do you measure whether your conservation actions are being successful? If we hadn't done anything, where would it be now? If we stopped all conservation efforts now, what will happen to that species going forward? Those are the metrics in the green status process. Q: Couldn't that lead to species conservation triage? A: There's a limited amount of funding available and vast number of species. It does come down to some really harsh realities. You're obligated to just let some species go extinct because we really can't save them. But it's not something we tackle head on in the Red List process. We effectively pass the buck on to others to make those very hard decisions. Q: Climate change is rarely cited as a driver of extinction. Why is that? A: It is obvious for the polar bears because of the direct link between sea ice cover and global warming, but with other megafauna it's a lot harder to detect the impacts of climate change. There is evidence pointing to climate change for the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires. But when experts record threats to a species they may put 'increased fire frequency', not climate change. The chytrid fungus is wiping out amphibians all around the world, and we are pretty sure that its emergence is very much linked to climate change. But with the evidence we have now, the category of threat is invasive species, not climate change.

Wildlife on a glidepath to 'mass extinction': Red List chief

New research estimates that 30 per cent of the world's tree species are at risk of extinction in the wild. This includes oaks, magnolias, and tropical timber trees, among other species.

At least 30 per cent of the 60,000 trees in the world are under threat of extinction, according to the report, State of the World's Trees.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-save-the-environment-berlin-universities-go-almost-meatless-409691" hreflang="en">To save the environment, Berlin universities go 'almost' meatless</a>

The number of threatened tree species is estimated to be 17,500, which is twice the number of threatened mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptile&nbsp;species combined.

In the face of threats like deforestation, logging, and climate change, conservation groups are clamouring for urgent protection.

According to the authors, increasing sea level rise, extreme weather patterns, and climate change also pose growing threats to trees. However, conservation may offer hope for the future, according to the authors.

Dr Malin Rivers, of the charity Botanic Gardens Conservation International, says that nearly 60,000 tree species exist on this planet, and for the first time, experts have knowledge of which trees need to be conserved, where they are located and from what threats they are most at risk.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/destroying-stereotypes-study-finds-that-older-adults-support-govt-efforts-to-tackle-climate-change-409522" hreflang="en">Destroying stereotypes: Study finds that older adults support govt efforts to tackle climate change</a>

Having diverse tree species is crucial to the health of our planet, says Sara Oldfield,&nbsp;co-chair of the Global Tree Specialist Group of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature).

She explained that each species of tree has a unique ecological function, and with 30 per cent of the world's tree species threatened with extinction, conservation must be scaled up urgently.

There are 142 species already extinct, while 442 others are teetering on the brink, with fewer than 50 trees remaining in the wild.

Clearance for crop production (affecting 29 per cent), logging (27 per cent), clearance for livestock grazing or farming (14 per cent), clearing for development (13 per cent) and fire (13 per cent) are the top threats for trees worldwide.

The report, said Rivers, lays out a road map to mobilise the conservation community and other players to ensure that tree conservation is a high priority in conservation agendas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-says-ocean-surface-climates-may-disappear-by-2100-408799" hreflang="en">Study says ocean surface climates may disappear by 2100</a>

In addition to increasing funding for tree conservation,&nbsp;experts recommend; conserving existing forests and expanding protected areas, preserving threatened species in botanic gardens or seed banks with the hope of one day reintroducing them into the wild.&nbsp;

Additionally, they suggest awareness programs that teach people about effective reforestation and planting programs, ensuring all trees are planted according to scientific principles, including rare and threatened species.

There are more than one million species of plants and animals threatened with extinction, according to scientists.

Approximately 40 per cent of the global forest area has been lost over the last 300 years, and 29 countries have lost more than 90 per cent of their forests.

New research estimates that 30 per cent of the world's tree species are at risk of extinction in the wild. This includes oaks, magnolias, and tropical timber trees, among other species.

New research estimates that 30 per cent of the world's tree species are at risk of extinction in the wild. This includes oaks, magnolias, and tropical timber trees, among other species. At least 30 per cent of the 60,000 trees in the world are under threat of extinction, according to the report, State of the World's Trees. Also read | To save the environment, Berlin universities go 'almost' meatless The number of threatened tree species is estimated to be 17,500, which is twice the number of threatened mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptile species combined. In the face of threats like deforestation, logging, and climate change, conservation groups are clamouring for urgent protection. According to the authors, increasing sea level rise, extreme weather patterns, and climate change also pose growing threats to trees. However, conservation may offer hope for the future, according to the authors. Dr Malin Rivers, of the charity Botanic Gardens Conservation International, says that nearly 60,000 tree species exist on this planet, and for the first time, experts have knowledge of which trees need to be conserved, where they are located and from what threats they are most at risk. Also read | Destroying stereotypes: Study finds that older adults support govt efforts to tackle climate change Having diverse tree species is crucial to the health of our planet, says Sara Oldfield, co-chair of the Global Tree Specialist Group of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). She explained that each species of tree has a unique ecological function, and with 30 per cent of the world's tree species threatened with extinction, conservation must be scaled up urgently. There are 142 species already extinct, while 442 others are teetering on the brink, with fewer than 50 trees remaining in the wild. Clearance for crop production (affecting 29 per cent), logging (27 per cent), clearance for livestock grazing or farming (14 per cent), clearing for development (13 per cent) and fire (13 per cent) are the top threats for trees worldwide. The report, said Rivers, lays out a road map to mobilise the conservation community and other players to ensure that tree conservation is a high priority in conservation agendas. Also read | Study says ocean surface climates may disappear by 2100 In addition to increasing funding for tree conservation, experts recommend; conserving existing forests and expanding protected areas, preserving threatened species in botanic gardens or seed banks with the hope of one day reintroducing them into the wild. Additionally, they suggest awareness programs that teach people about effective reforestation and planting programs, ensuring all trees are planted according to scientific principles, including rare and threatened species. There are more than one million species of plants and animals threatened with extinction, according to scientists. Approximately 40 per cent of the global forest area has been lost over the last 300 years, and 29 countries have lost more than 90 per cent of their forests.

New research estimates that 30% of the world's tree species face extinction

A captive breeding program has brought back the Iberian lynx from near extinction.&nbsp;

Found in Spain and Portugal, this white-and-black-bearded cat, is slightly larger than a red fox, has black ear tufts and a beard that resembles a fox's.

In the early part of the 20th century, they numbered around 100,000, but urbanisation, hunting, and roadkill reduced the number.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-patches-heatwave-causes-unlivable-water-temperatures-for-salmon-claims-ngo-401161">White patches: Heatwave causes unlivable water temperatures for salmon, claims NGO</a>

However, by far the most damaging was the dramatic decline in wild rabbit populations, their primary prey that started dying off due to disease.

The wild cat population declined to fewer than 100 by 2002. Thus, as a result, the World Wildlife Fund warned the Iberian lynx is on track to become the first big cat to go extinct since the sabre-tooth tiger 10,000 years ago.

By fighting poaching and reintroducing rabbits into the wild, as well as establishing breeding programs, the authorities and conservation groups have taken steps to reverse the trend.

Antonio Rivas, the coordinator of the El Acebuche breeding centre in southern Spain, says he and his team are very pleased and surprised by the results

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baby-orca-dies-in-new-zealand-after-fruitless-search-for-mother-400328">Baby orca dies in New Zealand after fruitless search for mother</a>

Having become "lynx factories", five breeding centres have succeeded in conservation efforts.

In the&nbsp;El Acebuche breeding centre a&nbsp;large, enclosed park recreates the natural habitat of lynxes where they breed and live. In order to prevent the animals from becoming accustomed to humans, their caretakers try as little as possible to disturb them.

Iberian lynxes were firstborn in captivity at El Acebuche in March 2005 - three cubs were born, two of whom survived.

In order to avoid capturing more wild cats, the first litters were kept in captivity for several years until they reached breeding age.

However, the breeding centres have released nearly 300 lynxes since 2011.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/great-barrier-reef-wont-be-listed-as-endangered-heritage-site-for-now-400074">Great Barrier Reef won't be listed as endangered heritage site for now</a>

Several captive-bred animals have been reintroduced throughout southern and central Spain, including Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Murcia and Portugal.

The lynxes are tagged at about one year of age with GPS trackers and brought to their natural habitat where the cage is opened and they are set free.

A whopping 85 per cent of Iberian lynxes born in captivity are released into the wild.

In the wild, 70 per cent of the lynx survive, and the female can have six kittens per year.

While these results are encouraging, the International Union for Conservation of Nature remains concerned about the animal, listing the fox-like animal&nbsp;as "endangered".

According to WWF, the species will be considered out of danger only after it reaches 3,000 individuals, including 750 breeding females.

The total number of Iberian lynxes observed last year in Spain and Portugal was just over 1,100, mostly living in Andalusian provinces in southern Spain.

(With inputs from agencies)

A captive breeding program has brought back the Iberian lynx from near extinction. Found in Spain and Portugal, this white-and-black-bearded cat, is slightly larger than a red fox, has black ear tufts and a beard that resembles a fox's.

A captive breeding program has brought back the Iberian lynx from near extinction. Found in Spain and Portugal, this white-and-black-bearded cat, is slightly larger than a red fox, has black ear tufts and a beard that resembles a fox's. In the early part of the 20th century, they numbered around 100,000, but urbanisation, hunting, and roadkill reduced the number. Also read | White patches: Heatwave causes unlivable water temperatures for salmon, claims NGO However, by far the most damaging was the dramatic decline in wild rabbit populations, their primary prey that started dying off due to disease. The wild cat population declined to fewer than 100 by 2002. Thus, as a result, the World Wildlife Fund warned the Iberian lynx is on track to become the first big cat to go extinct since the sabre-tooth tiger 10,000 years ago. By fighting poaching and reintroducing rabbits into the wild, as well as establishing breeding programs, the authorities and conservation groups have taken steps to reverse the trend. Antonio Rivas, the coordinator of the El Acebuche breeding centre in southern Spain, says he and his team are very pleased and surprised by the results Also read | Baby orca dies in New Zealand after fruitless search for mother Having become "lynx factories", five breeding centres have succeeded in conservation efforts. In the El Acebuche breeding centre a large, enclosed park recreates the natural habitat of lynxes where they breed and live. In order to prevent the animals from becoming accustomed to humans, their caretakers try as little as possible to disturb them. Iberian lynxes were firstborn in captivity at El Acebuche in March 2005 - three cubs were born, two of whom survived. In order to avoid capturing more wild cats, the first litters were kept in captivity for several years until they reached breeding age. However, the breeding centres have released nearly 300 lynxes since 2011. Also read | Great Barrier Reef won't be listed as endangered heritage site for now Several captive-bred animals have been reintroduced throughout southern and central Spain, including Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Murcia and Portugal. The lynxes are tagged at about one year of age with GPS trackers and brought to their natural habitat where the cage is opened and they are set free. A whopping 85 per cent of Iberian lynxes born in captivity are released into the wild. In the wild, 70 per cent of the lynx survive, and the female can have six kittens per year. While these results are encouraging, the International Union for Conservation of Nature remains concerned about the animal, listing the fox-like animal as "endangered". According to WWF, the species will be considered out of danger only after it reaches 3,000 individuals, including 750 breeding females. The total number of Iberian lynxes observed last year in Spain and Portugal was just over 1,100, mostly living in Andalusian provinces in southern Spain. (With inputs from agencies)

Iberian Lynx, a big cat species, claws its way back from extinction

A recent study conducted by the European aerospace company Airbus suggests that when an asteroid is hurtling toward our planets, we could deploy large TV broadcasting satellites to deflect the space rock.

The study is a part of the European Space Agency's efforts to prepare for a possible apocalyptic event, similar to the one that wiped out dinosaurs.&nbsp;

Conducted under the mission concept codenamed FastKD or Fast Kinetic Deflection, it envisions using telecommunications satellites in particular, as these are placed in a geostationary orbit. This means that they are placed in such a way that their position looks stationary, as these satellites circle the Earth at a speed that matches the planet's speed of rotation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/stellar-explosion-helps-scientists-explain-13-billion-year-old-mystery-of-milky-ways-elements-397024" hreflang="en">Stellar explosion helps scientists explain 13-billion-year-old mystery of Milky Way's elements</a>

Usually very large, on average, these weigh around 4 to 6 tonnes. This weight would aid in giving the object in question enough force to affect the trajectory of space rock.&nbsp;

However, according to Albert Falke, the lead researcher of this study, it would take around 10 such satellites to sufficiently change the trajectory of 300 meters or 1,000-foot wide asteroid.&nbsp;

But what about a Dinosaur extinction-size Asteroid?

Falke is hesitant to say whether an asteroid could still be deflected using this method if it is more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) in diameter.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-resolve-mystery-of-why-otters-stay-warm-in-cold-surroundings-397003" hreflang="en">Scientists resolve mystery of why otters stay warm in cold surroundings</a>

Interestingly, the asteroid that led to the extinction of dinosaurs is believed to have been 9.6 kilometres or 6 miles in diameter.

Why telecommunication satellites?

This method does not require the invention and subsequent launch of a whole new device. Telecommunication satellites are available readily. In case astronomers were to detect an asteroid at a late stage, all that's required is to repurpose the satellites under construction and launch them within a short span of time.

The combined effort of multiple satellites could very well change the trajectory of the approaching object.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/winchcombe-meteorite-gets-official-classification-here-is-all-you-need-to-know-396877" hreflang="en">Winchcombe meteorite gets official classification, here is all you need to know</a>

Changing its trajectory by just a few inches may not totally avert a disaster, but it could nudge it off course, enough to avert a catastrophe if done well enough in advance of an expected impact.&nbsp;

For telecommunication satellites to be capable of executing an earth-saving mission in orbit, special equipment is needed to enable communication in deep space, along with navigation, and guidance required to reach the asteroid.

Modules for this project still need to be developed. The ideal situation would be to build and test these systems in advance of an emergency and have them ready.

That said, the human species definitely has an advantage over dinosaurs.&nbsp;

NASA is set to conduct a mission called DART next year. The experiment will be the first-ever asteroid deflection experiment.&nbsp;

A recent study conducted by the European aerospace company Airbus suggests that when an asteroid is hurtling toward our planets, we could deploy large TV broadcasting satellites to deflect the space rock.

A recent study conducted by the European aerospace company Airbus suggests that when an asteroid is hurtling toward our planets, we could deploy large TV broadcasting satellites to deflect the space rock. The study is a part of the European Space Agency's efforts to prepare for a possible apocalyptic event, similar to the one that wiped out dinosaurs. Conducted under the mission concept codenamed FastKD or Fast Kinetic Deflection, it envisions using telecommunications satellites in particular, as these are placed in a geostationary orbit. This means that they are placed in such a way that their position looks stationary, as these satellites circle the Earth at a speed that matches the planet's speed of rotation. Also read | Stellar explosion helps scientists explain 13-billion-year-old mystery of Milky Way's elements Usually very large, on average, these weigh around 4 to 6 tonnes. This weight would aid in giving the object in question enough force to affect the trajectory of space rock. However, according to Albert Falke, the lead researcher of this study, it would take around 10 such satellites to sufficiently change the trajectory of 300 meters or 1,000-foot wide asteroid. But what about a Dinosaur extinction-size Asteroid? Falke is hesitant to say whether an asteroid could still be deflected using this method if it is more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) in diameter. Also read | Scientists resolve mystery of why otters stay warm in cold surroundings Interestingly, the asteroid that led to the extinction of dinosaurs is believed to have been 9.6 kilometres or 6 miles in diameter. Why telecommunication satellites? This method does not require the invention and subsequent launch of a whole new device. Telecommunication satellites are available readily. In case astronomers were to detect an asteroid at a late stage, all that's required is to repurpose the satellites under construction and launch them within a short span of time. The combined effort of multiple satellites could very well change the trajectory of the approaching object. Also read | Winchcombe meteorite gets official classification, here is all you need to know Changing its trajectory by just a few inches may not totally avert a disaster, but it could nudge it off course, enough to avert a catastrophe if done well enough in advance of an expected impact. For telecommunication satellites to be capable of executing an earth-saving mission in orbit, special equipment is needed to enable communication in deep space, along with navigation, and guidance required to reach the asteroid. Modules for this project still need to be developed. The ideal situation would be to build and test these systems in advance of an emergency and have them ready. That said, the human species definitely has an advantage over dinosaurs. NASA is set to conduct a mission called DART next year. The experiment will be the first-ever asteroid deflection experiment.

Defending Earth: Repurposing telecommunication satellites to protect Earth from asteroid collision

Absurdist-in-chief and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has struck again! Known for using Twitter to push out uncanny takes, Musk has now inspired confusion among many.

In pure-Musk style, no one could decipher the tone of the Tweet wherein Musk suggested that dinosaurs wouldn’t have perished millions of years ago if they had access to spaceships.

Was he being sarcastic or is this a belief clutched close to his heart? We’ll never know. But we do know that the tech billionaire believes spaceship development could prevent future mass extinction events from causing massive population erasures.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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If only they had spaceships, they’d still be around
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1397625923256549376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Musk’s Tweet was in response to a meme about dinosaurs which he had himself shared. Twitterati were quick to respond - staying true to the ambivalent tone. One user wondered whether&nbsp;some dinosaurs actually left Earth on spaceships, saying “Maybe the opposite. They had spaceships &amp; left :)”.

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Maybe the opposite. They had spaceships &amp; left :)
— Mike McCulloch (@memcculloch) <a href="https://twitter.com/memcculloch/status/1397628071633690627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Another user wondered how the creatures would operate the spaceship.

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But how would they fly it?
— David Gokhshtein (@davidgokhshtein) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidgokhshtein/status/1397645626201055236?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Scientists blame the extinction of dinosaurs on an asteroid collision, but have never explored what would have happened had the creatures developed spaceships to escape the planet.

Even then, new research continues to shed light on varying factors that caused the extinction of dinosaurs. Earlier this year, experts found that volcanic activities may have played a considerable role in the extinction process. 
 
Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a research claimed that harmful gases released from a volcano in India may have considerably contribution to mass extinction of dinosaurs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/eyeing-mars-elon-musk-wants-humans-to-be-multi-planet-species-379777" hreflang="en">Eyeing Mars, Elon Musk wants humans to be 'multi-planet species'</a>

Regardless, Musk is Twitter famous for such hot takes. The space enthusiast recently suggested establishing permanent colonies on different planets, starting with Mars.&nbsp;

“We don’t want to be one of those single planet species, we want to be a multi-planet species,” Musk said in April&nbsp;after the launch of SpaceX’s “Crew-2” mission. Musk added how it had been almost 50 years since human beings set foot on the moon. “That’s too long”, he said.

Absurdist-in-chief and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has struck again! Known for using Twitter to push out uncanny takes, Musk has now inspired confusion among many. In pure-Musk style, no one could decipher the tone of the Tweet wherein Musk suggested that dinosaurs wouldn’t have perished millions of years ago if they had access to spaceships.

Absurdist-in-chief and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has struck again! Known for using Twitter to push out uncanny takes, Musk has now inspired confusion among many. In pure-Musk style, no one could decipher the tone of the Tweet wherein Musk suggested that dinosaurs wouldn’t have perished millions of years ago if they had access to spaceships. Was he being sarcastic or is this a belief clutched close to his heart? We’ll never know. But we do know that the tech billionaire believes spaceship development could prevent future mass extinction events from causing massive population erasures. If only they had spaceships, they’d still be around — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 26, 2021 × Musk’s Tweet was in response to a meme about dinosaurs which he had himself shared. Twitterati were quick to respond - staying true to the ambivalent tone. One user wondered whether some dinosaurs actually left Earth on spaceships, saying “Maybe the opposite. They had spaceships & left :)”. Maybe the opposite. They had spaceships & left :) — Mike McCulloch (@memcculloch) May 26, 2021 × Another user wondered how the creatures would operate the spaceship. But how would they fly it? — David Gokhshtein (@davidgokhshtein) May 26, 2021 × Scientists blame the extinction of dinosaurs on an asteroid collision, but have never explored what would have happened had the creatures developed spaceships to escape the planet. Even then, new research continues to shed light on varying factors that caused the extinction of dinosaurs. Earlier this year, experts found that volcanic activities may have played a considerable role in the extinction process. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a research claimed that harmful gases released from a volcano in India may have considerably contribution to mass extinction of dinosaurs. Also read: Eyeing Mars, Elon Musk wants humans to be 'multi-planet species' Regardless, Musk is Twitter famous for such hot takes. The space enthusiast recently suggested establishing permanent colonies on different planets, starting with Mars. “We don’t want to be one of those single planet species, we want to be a multi-planet species,” Musk said in April after the launch of SpaceX’s “Crew-2” mission. Musk added how it had been almost 50 years since human beings set foot on the moon. “That’s too long”, he said.

Would dinosaurs be alive if they had spaceships? Tech mogul Elon Musk believes so

Conservationists in Chile are looking to re-populate the at-risk native rhea bird into its Patagonia region, after it was brought to near extinction locally as a result of illegal hunting.

At-risk rheas released into wild of Chile's Patagonia for repopulation

Environmentalists on Thursday rang alarm bells on the declining elephant populations across Africa, warning that one species was on the brink of extinction.&nbsp;

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its updated "Red List" of threatened species said that forest elephants in Africa are the worst-affected as their numbers have fallen more than 86 per cent in three decades.

Watch |&nbsp;

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It said that these elephants are now designated as "critically endangered", meaning they face the most risk of getting extinct.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, there has been a 60 per cent reduction in the population of African savanna elephants in the last 50 years, IUCN said, adding the species to the "endangered" list.&nbsp;

The development is big as earlier elephants from the continent, taken as a single species was regarded as vulnerable, but not endangered.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/4000-kilo-female-elephants-one-hit-from-trunk-kills-zookeeper-366411">4000-kilo female elephant's one hit from trunk kills zookeeper</a>

"Today's new IUCN Red List assessments of both African elephant species underline the persistent pressures faced by these iconic animals," IUCN chief Bruno Oberle in a statement said.

News agency AFP reported that 50 years ago, there were nearly 1.5 million elephants in Africa, but poaching and shrinking habitats have resulted in only about 415,000 left.&nbsp;

"It is a wake-up call to the entire globe that we are going down a steep terrain, when it comes to... the viability of these elephants," Benson Okita-Ouma of Save the Elephants and the co-chair of the IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Environmentalists on Thursday rang alarm bells on the declining elephant populations across Africa, warning that one species was on the brink of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its updated "Red List" of threatened species said that forest elephants in Africa are the worst-affected as their numbers have fallen more than 86 per cent in three decades.

Environmentalists on Thursday rang alarm bells on the declining elephant populations across Africa, warning that one species was on the brink of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its updated "Red List" of threatened species said that forest elephants in Africa are the worst-affected as their numbers have fallen more than 86 per cent in three decades. Watch | It said that these elephants are now designated as "critically endangered", meaning they face the most risk of getting extinct. Meanwhile, there has been a 60 per cent reduction in the population of African savanna elephants in the last 50 years, IUCN said, adding the species to the "endangered" list. The development is big as earlier elephants from the continent, taken as a single species was regarded as vulnerable, but not endangered. Also read | 4000-kilo female elephant's one hit from trunk kills zookeeper "Today's new IUCN Red List assessments of both African elephant species underline the persistent pressures faced by these iconic animals," IUCN chief Bruno Oberle in a statement said. News agency AFP reported that 50 years ago, there were nearly 1.5 million elephants in Africa, but poaching and shrinking habitats have resulted in only about 415,000 left. "It is a wake-up call to the entire globe that we are going down a steep terrain, when it comes to... the viability of these elephants," Benson Okita-Ouma of Save the Elephants and the co-chair of the IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group said.

Environmentalists raise concern as African elephants see massive decline

African elephants living in forests and savannas are increasingly threatened with extinction, the Red List of species in trouble showed on Thursday (March 25), as conservationists called for an urgent end to poaching.

African elephants face growing risk of extinction - Red List

World Wildlife Day: Alarming figures of species nearing extinction

Chilean scientists have rediscovered a species of frog last seen more than 80 years ago, prompting new calls for the conservation of its habitat in the far-flung Chilean desert.

Hall's water frog rediscovered by Chilean scientists

Herbivores face a higher risk of extinction than predators, whether they are mammals, birds or reptiles, according to an extensive study of 24,500 species both living and extinct that was published Wednesday.

The paper, which appeared in Science Advances, suggests herbivores have suffered a higher extinction rate over the past 50,000 years compared to other parts of the food web and the trend continues to this day.

This contradicts the idea, based on anecdotal evidence, that predators are the most vulnerable because they have extensive home ranges and slow population growth rates.

The threat is greatest for reptile herbivores, such as turtles, and large herbivores, like elephants.

"There is so much data out there and sometimes you just need someone to organize it," said Trisha Atwood, an ecologist at Utah State University and the first author of the study.

Researchers first looked at modern day extinction risk patterns among herbivores, omnivores and predators in mammals, birds and reptiles at different levels of the food web.

They performed the same analysis on species from the late Pleistocene epoch, beginning 11,000 years ago for Africa, North America and South America, and 50,000 years ago for Australia

Finally, they examined how body size and position in the food web affected the threat status among 22,166 living species.

The authors wrote that though there are probably several reasons for the trend, certain man made interventions seemed to affect herbivores more than others.

"Invasive vertebrates (e.g., rats), insects (e.g., fire ants), and plants (e.g., Hottentot fig) have all been implicated in the decline and even extinction of several reptiles," they said.

What's more, invasive species, pollution and habitat alteration appeared to affect&nbsp;small herbivorous birds disproportionately.

There are certain exceptions: predators living in marine habitats did face an elevated extinction risk, suggesting they faced existential pressures than their land-dwelling counterparts.

Herbivores face a higher risk of extinction than predators, whether they are mammals, birds or reptiles, according to an extensive study of 24,500 species both living and extinct that was published Wednesday.

Herbivores face a higher risk of extinction than predators, whether they are mammals, birds or reptiles, according to an extensive study of 24,500 species both living and extinct that was published Wednesday. The paper, which appeared in Science Advances, suggests herbivores have suffered a higher extinction rate over the past 50,000 years compared to other parts of the food web and the trend continues to this day. This contradicts the idea, based on anecdotal evidence, that predators are the most vulnerable because they have extensive home ranges and slow population growth rates. The threat is greatest for reptile herbivores, such as turtles, and large herbivores, like elephants. "There is so much data out there and sometimes you just need someone to organize it," said Trisha Atwood, an ecologist at Utah State University and the first author of the study. Researchers first looked at modern day extinction risk patterns among herbivores, omnivores and predators in mammals, birds and reptiles at different levels of the food web. They performed the same analysis on species from the late Pleistocene epoch, beginning 11,000 years ago for Africa, North America and South America, and 50,000 years ago for Australia Finally, they examined how body size and position in the food web affected the threat status among 22,166 living species. The authors wrote that though there are probably several reasons for the trend, certain man made interventions seemed to affect herbivores more than others. "Invasive vertebrates (e.g., rats), insects (e.g., fire ants), and plants (e.g., Hottentot fig) have all been implicated in the decline and even extinction of several reptiles," they said. What's more, invasive species, pollution and habitat alteration appeared to affect small herbivorous birds disproportionately. There are certain exceptions: predators living in marine habitats did face an elevated extinction risk, suggesting they faced existential pressures than their land-dwelling counterparts.

Herbivores face higher extinction risk than predators: Study

It was feared that the Australian bushfires had killed at least 350 koalas. Turns out, &nbsp;it was a gross underestimation. At least 5000 koalas died during the recent Australian bushfires. The disaster also dragged the iconic Australian animal in the queue for extinction.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/habitat-loss-in-an-australian-state-may-drive-koalas-to-extinction-by-2050-309664" hreflang="en">Habitat loss in an Australian state may drive koalas to extinction by 2050</a>

Koalas may soon be a thing of the past. Experts say the bears will disappear from the state of New South Wales by 2050. The bushfires destroyed at least 24 per cent of their habitat. In some parts-- 80 per cent of their homes were gutted.

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New South Wales opposition environment minister, Penny Sharpe said: "The environment groups told us that it could be as low as 15,000, across the state. So this is desperate times."

The New South Wales authorities are now faced with a big challenge.

How do you create homes for the surviving koalas?

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/double-pandemic-experts-believe-new-swine-flu-in-china-could-wreak-havoc-if-left-unchecked-309744" hreflang="en">Double pandemic? Experts believe new swine flu in China could wreak havoc if left unchecked</a>

The fuzzy animals need a lot of space to live in. About a hundred trees per animal, Australia's shrinking woodlands are not helping this cause.

The bushfires cannot alone be blamed for putting these animals at risk. Their numbers began plummeting in the late 20th century.

Koalas were being hunted for their fur. They were listed vulnerable in New South Wales in 1992.

What followed was habitat destruction, domestic dog attacks, bush fires and road accidents.

What did the authorities do about these?

&nbsp;According to a parliamentary committee report, "at every turn, we were handed evidence that showed our current laws are inadequate and facilitating the clearing of core koala habitat."

2050 is less than 30 years away. New South Wales would have to race against time if it wants koalas in its forests and protect them from further bushfires.&nbsp;

It was feared that the Australian bushfires had killed at least 350 koalas. Turns out, it was a gross underestimation. At least 5000 koalas died during the recent Australian bushfires.

It was feared that the Australian bushfires had killed at least 350 koalas. Turns out, it was a gross underestimation. At least 5000 koalas died during the recent Australian bushfires. The disaster also dragged the iconic Australian animal in the queue for extinction. Also read: Habitat loss in an Australian state may drive koalas to extinction by 2050 Koalas may soon be a thing of the past. Experts say the bears will disappear from the state of New South Wales by 2050. The bushfires destroyed at least 24 per cent of their habitat. In some parts-- 80 per cent of their homes were gutted. New South Wales opposition environment minister, Penny Sharpe said: "The environment groups told us that it could be as low as 15,000, across the state. So this is desperate times." The New South Wales authorities are now faced with a big challenge. How do you create homes for the surviving koalas? Also read: Double pandemic? Experts believe new swine flu in China could wreak havoc if left unchecked The fuzzy animals need a lot of space to live in. About a hundred trees per animal, Australia's shrinking woodlands are not helping this cause. The bushfires cannot alone be blamed for putting these animals at risk. Their numbers began plummeting in the late 20th century. Koalas were being hunted for their fur. They were listed vulnerable in New South Wales in 1992. What followed was habitat destruction, domestic dog attacks, bush fires and road accidents. What did the authorities do about these? According to a parliamentary committee report, "at every turn, we were handed evidence that showed our current laws are inadequate and facilitating the clearing of core koala habitat." 2050 is less than 30 years away. New South Wales would have to race against time if it wants koalas in its forests and protect them from further bushfires.

Thing of the past? Experts fear Australia's iconic koala could go extinct by 2050

A year-long parliamentary inquiry announced on Tuesday (June 30) that koalas will become extinct in Australia's most populous state by 2050 without significant intervention.

Koalas could become extinct in Australian state by 2050, says inquiry

A flutter of wings faster than the eye can see, a quick sip of nectar, and he vanishes from view. Once a common site in Mexico City but in 2020 a rarity in the sprawling metropolis.

Urban gardens in Mexico fight hummingbirds' extinction

A new study has said that there would be zero to few suitable coral habitats would be left in the earth by 2100.

New Study: No coral reefs by 2100

A zoo in San Andres Cholula in the Mexican state of Puebla is celebrating the arrival of three lion cubs. The cubs, two males and one female, were born at Parque Loro Zoo on January 10, and all three are in reportedly good health.

Mexico zoo celebrates birth of three lion cubs

Pollution needs to be cut into half and approximately one-third of the Earth needs to be protected by 2030 to save our biodiversity according to the <a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/india-becomes-fourth-nation-to-pay-un-dues-on-time-world-body-thanks-new-delhi-273780">UN</a> Convention on Biological Diversity.

A draft plan was released by the UN agency this week, according to which the wildlife needs to be saved from mass extinction in the coming decades.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/un-warns-of-much-extreme-weather-ahead-after-hottest-decade-on-record-274499">UN warns of 'much extreme weather' after hottest decade on record</a>

Similar targets were set by the convention in 2010, at a summit in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rights-group-denounces-japan-envoy-for-disturbing-comments-on-myanmar-rohingya-274443">Japan</a>.

But almost all of the countries failed to meet these goals due to which they are now facing unparalleled extinction rates, the imperilled ecosystems and the deplorable condition of human survival.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions/climate-change-pandemics-biodiversity-loss-no-country-is-sufficiently-prepared-260057">Climate change, pandemics, biodiversity loss: No country is sufficiently prepared</a>

It warns that 1 million out of the 8 million species are already facing extinction and many others will be obliterated in the coming decade if necessary steps are not taken.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/species-saving-galapagos-giant-tortoise-diego-can-take-a-rest-274201">Biodiversity</a> is fundamental to the well-being of human beings and is crucial for a healthy planet.

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The purpose of the framework is 'to galvanize urgent and transformative action by governments and all of society, both global and local'.

The aim of the convention is the stabilization of the fragile biodiversity by 2030 and the recovery of ecosystems by 2050.&nbsp;

Also read:<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/pm-modi-invites-global-investors-to-benefit-from-indias-start-up-ecosystem-258695">&nbsp;PM Modi invites global investors to benefit from India's start-up ecosystem</a>

For the achievement of this target, the draft has laid 20 targets for the next decade.

One of these includes giving 'protected status' to biologically significant sites and to cover at least 30 per cent of them by 2030.

At least 10 per cent of these sites will be placed under ''strictly protected''.

Another target is to reduce <a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/india-leads-world-in-pollution-linked-deaths-study-269127">pollution </a>from plastic wastes, biocides and excess nutrients around 50 per cent.

A crucial target presented by it also includes ascertaining that the trade of every wild species is legitimate and sustainable to bring greater sustainability to the sectors of the economy and to ensure the inclusivity of indigenous communities in it.

Pollution needs to be cut into half and approximately one-third of the Earth needs to be protected by 2030 to save our biodiversity according to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Pollution needs to be cut into half and approximately one-third of the Earth needs to be protected by 2030 to save our biodiversity according to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. A draft plan was released by the UN agency this week, according to which the wildlife needs to be saved from mass extinction in the coming decades. Also read: UN warns of 'much extreme weather' after hottest decade on record Similar targets were set by the convention in 2010, at a summit in Japan. But almost all of the countries failed to meet these goals due to which they are now facing unparalleled extinction rates, the imperilled ecosystems and the deplorable condition of human survival. Also read: Climate change, pandemics, biodiversity loss: No country is sufficiently prepared It warns that 1 million out of the 8 million species are already facing extinction and many others will be obliterated in the coming decade if necessary steps are not taken. Biodiversity is fundamental to the well-being of human beings and is crucial for a healthy planet. × The purpose of the framework is 'to galvanize urgent and transformative action by governments and all of society, both global and local'. The aim of the convention is the stabilization of the fragile biodiversity by 2030 and the recovery of ecosystems by 2050. Also read: PM Modi invites global investors to benefit from India's start-up ecosystem For the achievement of this target, the draft has laid 20 targets for the next decade. One of these includes giving 'protected status' to biologically significant sites and to cover at least 30 per cent of them by 2030. At least 10 per cent of these sites will be placed under ''strictly protected''. Another target is to reduce pollution from plastic wastes, biocides and excess nutrients around 50 per cent. A crucial target presented by it also includes ascertaining that the trade of every wild species is legitimate and sustainable to bring greater sustainability to the sectors of the economy and to ensure the inclusivity of indigenous communities in it.

Only ten years to save world's biodiversity from extinction: UN

Nunu Jobe's life is focused on conservation. He grew up in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province and now spends most days tracking southern white rhino on foot while educating communities and schools on the importance of wildlife. In late August, veterinarians successfully harvested eggs from the last two surviving northern white rhinos, taking them one step closer to bringing the species back from the brink of extinction, scientists said.

S Africa's barefoot game ranger fights rhino poaching

For most of his life as a Samburu warrior, Lesaiton Lengoloni thought nothing of hunting giraffes, the graceful giants so common a feature of the Kenyan plains where he roamed.

For most of his life as a Samburu warrior, Lesaiton Lengoloni thought nothing of hunting giraffes, the graceful giants so common a feature of the Kenyan plains where he roamed. "There was no particular pride in killing a giraffe, not like a lion... (But) a single giraffe could feed the village for more than a week," the community elder told AFP, leaning on a walking stick and gazing out to the broad plateau of Laikipia. But fewer amble across his path these days: in Kenya, as across Africa, populations of the world's tallest mammals are quietly, yet sharply, in decline. Giraffe numbers across the continent fell 40 per cent between 1985 and 2015, to just under 100,000 animals, according to the best figures available to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). But unlike the clarion calls sounded over the catastrophic collapse of elephant, lion and rhino populations, less attention was paid to the giraffe's private crisis. "The giraffe is a big animal, and you can see it pretty easily in parks and reserves. This may have created a false impression that the species was doing well," said Julian Fennessy, co-chair of the IUCN's specialist group for giraffes and okapis. The rate of decline is much higher in central and eastern regions, with poaching, habitat destruction and conflict the main drivers blamed for thinning herds of these gentle creatures. In Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, reticulated giraffe numbers fell 60 per cent in the roughly three decades to 2018, the IUCN says. The Nubian giraffe meanwhile has suffered a tragic decline of 97 per cent, pushing this rarer variety toward total extinction. Further afield in Central Africa, the Kordofan giraffe, another of the multitude subspecies, has witnessed an 85 per cent decrease. In 2010, giraffes were a species of "least concern" on the IUCN red list. But six years later they leapt to "vulnerable", one step down from critical, catching many by surprise. "This is why for the giraffe we speak of the threat of a silent extinction," said Jenna Stacy-Dawes, research coordinator at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Mysterious giants Despite this, an international effort underway to put giraffes squarely on the global conservation agenda has divided professional opinion. Six African nations are pushing to regulate the international trade in giraffes under the UN Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which meets from August 17 to 28 in Geneva. Those advocating for the change, including Kenya, want the giraffe classified as "a species that, although not necessarily currently threatened with extinction, could become so if trade in their specimens were not closely controlled". Critics, however, say there is little evidence the international wildlife trade is responsible for dwindling giraffe numbers. A lack of reliable data has long hindered efforts to protect them. "Compared to other charismatic species like elephants, lions, and rhinos, we know very little about giraffes," said Symon Masiaine, a coordinator in the Twiga Walinzi giraffe study and protection programme, which began in Kenya in 2016. "Nowadays, we are still far behind, but we are making progress." Almost nothing is reliably known about giraffe populations in Somalia, South Sudan and eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where collecting such information is perilously difficult. But even research outside conflict zones has been patchy. Arthur Muneza, from the Giraffe Preservation Foundation, said the first long-term study of giraffes was not carried out until 2004. Data on giraffes are often gathered as an afterthought by researchers focussing on other wildlife, he added. "Without reliable data, it is more difficult to take appropriate conservation measures," Muneza said. It was not until 2018 that the IUCN had enough statistics to be able to differentiate the threat levels facing many giraffe subspecies. The reticulated and Masai giraffes, for example, were classified as "endangered" while the Nubian and Kordofan were "critically endangered". Trophy hunting Under the proposal before CITES, the legal trade in giraffe parts, including those obtained by trophy hunters on Africa's legal game reserves, would be globally regulated. Member countries would be required to record the export of giraffe parts or artifacts, something only the United States currently does, and permits would be required for their trade. But observers say the limited information available suggests most of this trade originates from places where giraffe numbers are rebounding, like South Africa and Namibia, where game hunting is legal. Muneza says there isn't a clear enough picture that the legal trade is linked to declining giraffe numbers. "The first step should be to conduct a study to find out the extent of international trade and its influence on giraffe populations," he said. Those supporting the proposal before Geneva talk of a "precautionary principle" doing something now before it is too late. For Masiaine, the Kenyan giraffe researcher, any publicity is good publicity for these poorly-understood long-necked herbivores. "It means that people are talking about the giraffe," he said. "And the species needs that."

Gentle giraffes threatened with 'silent extinction'

Relentless pursuit of economic growth, twinned with the impact of climate change, has put an "unprecedented" one million species at risk of extinction, scientists said on Monday in a landmark report on the damage done by modern civilisation to the natural world.

Only a wide-ranging transformation of the global economic and financial system could pull ecosystems that are vital to the future of human communities worldwide back from the brink of collapse, concluded the report, which was endorsed by 130 countries, including the United States, Russia and China.

"The essential, interconnected web of life on Earth is getting smaller and increasingly frayed," said Professor Josef Settele, who co-chaired the study, launched in Paris on Monday by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

"This loss is a direct result of human activity and constitutes a direct threat to human well-being in all regions of the world."

Compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries, the study is a cornerstone of an emerging body of research that suggests the world may need to embrace a new "post-growth" form of economics if it is to avert the existential risks posed by the mutually-reinforcing consequences of pollution, habitat destruction and carbon emissions.

Known as the Global Assessment, the report found that up to one million of Earth's estimated eight million plant, insect and animal species is at risk of extinction, many within decades.

The authors identified industrial farming and fishing as major drivers – with the current rate of species extinction tens to hundreds of times higher than the average over the last 10 million years.

Climate change caused by burning the coal, oil and gas produced by the fossil fuel industry is exacerbating the losses, the report found.

Change needed at every level

Robert Watson, a British environmental scientist who chairs the IPBES, said it would be possible to start conserving, restoring and using nature sustainably only if societies were prepared to confront "vested interests" committed to preserving the status quo.

"The report also tells us that it is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global," Watson said in a statement.

"By transformative change, we mean a fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values."

The report's blunt language echoed the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which said in October that profound economic and social changes would be needed to curb greenhouse gases quickly enough to avert the most devastating consequences of a warming world.

The findings will also add to pressure for countries to agree bold action to protect wildlife at a major conference on biodiversity due to take place in China towards the end of next year, a focal point for governments and campaigners.

The Global Assessment contained a litany of estimates made after a three-year review of some 15,000 scientific papers that showed the profound impact of the rise of a globalised industrial society on the planet over the past half-century.

Combining wide-ranging disciplines to measure how the loss of the natural world affects human societies, the report identified a range of risks, from the disappearance of insects vital for pollinating food crops, to the destruction of coral reefs that support fish populations that sustain coastal communities, or the loss of medicinal plants.

The report found that the average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20 per cent, mostly since 1900.

The threatened list includes more than 40 per cent of amphibian species, almost 33 per cent of reef-forming corals, and more than a third of all marine mammals. The picture was less clear for insect species, but a tentative estimate suggests 10 per cent are at risk of extinction.

"We have been running from one frontier to another frontier trying to find cheap nature (to exploit) in every corner of the planet," Eduardo Brondizio, a professor of anthropology at Indiana University in the United States who co-chaired the Global Assessment, told Reuters.

Relentless pursuit of economic growth, twinned with the impact of climate change, has put an "unprecedented" one million species at risk of extinction, scientists said on Monday in a landmark report on the damage done by modern civilisation to the natural world.

Relentless pursuit of economic growth, twinned with the impact of climate change, has put an "unprecedented" one million species at risk of extinction, scientists said on Monday in a landmark report on the damage done by modern civilisation to the natural world. Only a wide-ranging transformation of the global economic and financial system could pull ecosystems that are vital to the future of human communities worldwide back from the brink of collapse, concluded the report, which was endorsed by 130 countries, including the United States, Russia and China. "The essential, interconnected web of life on Earth is getting smaller and increasingly frayed," said Professor Josef Settele, who co-chaired the study, launched in Paris on Monday by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). "This loss is a direct result of human activity and constitutes a direct threat to human well-being in all regions of the world." Compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries, the study is a cornerstone of an emerging body of research that suggests the world may need to embrace a new "post-growth" form of economics if it is to avert the existential risks posed by the mutually-reinforcing consequences of pollution, habitat destruction and carbon emissions. Known as the Global Assessment, the report found that up to one million of Earth's estimated eight million plant, insect and animal species is at risk of extinction, many within decades. The authors identified industrial farming and fishing as major drivers – with the current rate of species extinction tens to hundreds of times higher than the average over the last 10 million years. Climate change caused by burning the coal, oil and gas produced by the fossil fuel industry is exacerbating the losses, the report found. Change needed at every level Robert Watson, a British environmental scientist who chairs the IPBES, said it would be possible to start conserving, restoring and using nature sustainably only if societies were prepared to confront "vested interests" committed to preserving the status quo. "The report also tells us that it is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global," Watson said in a statement. "By transformative change, we mean a fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values." The report's blunt language echoed the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which said in October that profound economic and social changes would be needed to curb greenhouse gases quickly enough to avert the most devastating consequences of a warming world. The findings will also add to pressure for countries to agree bold action to protect wildlife at a major conference on biodiversity due to take place in China towards the end of next year, a focal point for governments and campaigners. The Global Assessment contained a litany of estimates made after a three-year review of some 15,000 scientific papers that showed the profound impact of the rise of a globalised industrial society on the planet over the past half-century. Combining wide-ranging disciplines to measure how the loss of the natural world affects human societies, the report identified a range of risks, from the disappearance of insects vital for pollinating food crops, to the destruction of coral reefs that support fish populations that sustain coastal communities, or the loss of medicinal plants. The report found that the average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20 per cent, mostly since 1900. The threatened list includes more than 40 per cent of amphibian species, almost 33 per cent of reef-forming corals, and more than a third of all marine mammals. The picture was less clear for insect species, but a tentative estimate suggests 10 per cent are at risk of extinction. "We have been running from one frontier to another frontier trying to find cheap nature (to exploit) in every corner of the planet," Eduardo Brondizio, a professor of anthropology at Indiana University in the United States who co-chaired the Global Assessment, told Reuters.

One million species risk extinction due to modern civilisation: Scientists

Photo Attribution

 
Where have the sparrows gone?

When was the last time you saw a sparrow chirping near your window? 
The house sparrow has been one of the oldest companions of humans. Poets of all languages have praised of their trust and love for each other. Sparrows have been associated by the ancient Greeks with Aphrodite- the goddess of love, due to their perceived lustfulness. The association was inscribed by writers such as Shakespeare and Chaucer.

The familiar bird prefers to live around agricultural areas, and for several, human settlements are a primary habitat. House sparrows for a long period of time have been known to reside around buildings.

However, over the last 5 decades, sparrows have deserted human company in urban areas, preferring the countryside to make short visits to close by human habitats.&nbsp;

World Sparrow Day 
The sudden and puzzling alienation led to the species being included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in UK.&nbsp; 
World Sparrow Day is observed on March 20 across the world as an international initiative taken in 2010 by Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organisations across the world. It aims to provide a platform for advocacy and spreading awareness on the need to conserve biodiversity of lower conservation status. Delhi adopted House sparrow as the state bird.

 
Reasons for decline 
Contrary to their small size, sparrows are strongly immune birds. Their abrupt disappearance must be seen as an ecological indication or warning to humans about forthcoming environmental menace. Several environmentalists&nbsp;have put theories on the table to account for sparrows to abandon human habitat and they all conclude to the fact that the changes in the human lifestyle and mindless urbanisation is increasingly incompatible with the conservative lifestyles of sparrows and is depriving the species of their natural habitat.

These changes include the unavailability of food in form of tiny insects due to the&nbsp;reduction of vegetation in modern adaptations, overuse of insecticides outdoors and insect repellents indoors and concrete buildings with no nesting spaces.

Further, noise and air pollution from vehicles in urban settlement could be deterrents. Moreover, the rise in electromagnetic radiations from mobile phone towers and the excessive use of wireless devices in houses have caused the birds to move away. It could be the combined effect of these environmental pollutants that has forced sparrows to go away from their long-trusted companions.

Things you did not know about the little bird

<ul>
	<li>The population of the bird has fallen by 99% in some areas</li>
	<li>When their population was abundant about century ago, there were clubs whose members competed to kill the most birds</li>
	<li>Though a commonly observed resident of Britain and India, it&rsquo;s thought to be a native north from North Africa.</li>
	<li>They are often seen as social birds, nesting together in colonies.</li>
	<li>They are non-migratory, but urban flocks traditionally moved to the countryside in the late summer to feed on the ripening grain fields.</li>
	<li>Most pairs raise two to three broods in a year.</li>
	<li>Incubation period is of about 11 days, and within two weeks, the young ones leave the nest.</li>
	<li>Cats are major predators of the species. They target the inexperienced infants when mothers leave the nest</li>
	<li>Sparrows fly at 24 miles/hour. When in danger, they can go up to 31 miles/hour.</li>
	<li>Sparrows can survive for 4-5 years in the wild</li>
</ul>

What can we do for them?

Placing feeders and bird houses outside the house or in the courtyard/balcony 
Placing water bowls during summer months to keep birds hydrated 
Create a welcoming environment for birds by growing plants and hedges around the house

Abrupt disappearance of sparrows must be seen as an ecological indication to humans about forthcoming environmental menace

Photo Attribution Where have the sparrows gone? When was the last time you saw a sparrow chirping near your window? The house sparrow has been one of the oldest companions of humans. Poets of all languages have praised of their trust and love for each other. Sparrows have been associated by the ancient Greeks with Aphrodite- the goddess of love, due to their perceived lustfulness. The association was inscribed by writers such as Shakespeare and Chaucer. The familiar bird prefers to live around agricultural areas, and for several, human settlements are a primary habitat. House sparrows for a long period of time have been known to reside around buildings. However, over the last 5 decades, sparrows have deserted human company in urban areas, preferring the countryside to make short visits to close by human habitats. World Sparrow Day The sudden and puzzling alienation led to the species being included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in UK. World Sparrow Day is observed on March 20 across the world as an international initiative taken in 2010 by Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organisations across the world. It aims to provide a platform for advocacy and spreading awareness on the need to conserve biodiversity of lower conservation status. Delhi adopted House sparrow as the state bird. Reasons for decline Contrary to their small size, sparrows are strongly immune birds. Their abrupt disappearance must be seen as an ecological indication or warning to humans about forthcoming environmental menace. Several environmentalists have put theories on the table to account for sparrows to abandon human habitat and they all conclude to the fact that the changes in the human lifestyle and mindless urbanisation is increasingly incompatible with the conservative lifestyles of sparrows and is depriving the species of their natural habitat. These changes include the unavailability of food in form of tiny insects due to the reduction of vegetation in modern adaptations, overuse of insecticides outdoors and insect repellents indoors and concrete buildings with no nesting spaces. Further, noise and air pollution from vehicles in urban settlement could be deterrents. Moreover, the rise in electromagnetic radiations from mobile phone towers and the excessive use of wireless devices in houses have caused the birds to move away. It could be the combined effect of these environmental pollutants that has forced sparrows to go away from their long-trusted companions. Things you did not know about the little bird The population of the bird has fallen by 99% in some areas When their population was abundant about century ago, there were clubs whose members competed to kill the most birds Though a commonly observed resident of Britain and India, it’s thought to be a native north from North Africa. They are often seen as social birds, nesting together in colonies. They are non-migratory, but urban flocks traditionally moved to the countryside in the late summer to feed on the ripening grain fields. Most pairs raise two to three broods in a year. Incubation period is of about 11 days, and within two weeks, the young ones leave the nest. Cats are major predators of the species. They target the inexperienced infants when mothers leave the nest Sparrows fly at 24 miles/hour. When in danger, they can go up to 31 miles/hour. Sparrows can survive for 4-5 years in the wild What can we do for them? Placing feeders and bird houses outside the house or in the courtyard/balcony Placing water bowls during summer months to keep birds hydrated Create a welcoming environment for birds by growing plants and hedges around the house

World Sparrow Day: Where have the birds gone?

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