THE EFFECT GLOBAL WARMING HAS ON ANIMALS

A look at how this growing issue is affecting the animal kingdom

HOW ARE ANIMALS BEING EFFECTED? Many different species of animals are being effected by global warming, they’re

mating, breeding and feeding patterns are being thrown off balance and this can result in death for many animals, here a few examples of the startling effects on animals:

Penguins: Rely on krill shrimp as a source of food, but many of these are not available because the shrimps’ source of food, algae, has diminished from the water due to the warming in the arctic.

Polar Bears: Polar bears hunt and live on ice caps. However, since the ice caps have been melting, polar bears are dying with drowning as the main cause. They have nowhere to rest and as a result they drown because they become too tried from swimming.

Arctic Foxes: Arctic foxes have thick, warm fur and paws that allow them to burrow and dig into the snow to keep themselves warm when they need to. However recent warmer temperatures are forcing the arctic foxes to migrate north in search of a cooler climate. 1

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TAKE A LOOK AT THIS...

Contributions to Global Warming

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WHAT COULD HAPPEN... Many scientists are saying that global

warming could result in even more floods, droughts, heat waves, extreme winter cold and snow fall, tornadoes, extreme storms and tropical storms. These natural disasters have the potential to ruin the habitats of so many animals and to kill so many more.

In 2004 a major research paper published an article stating that global climate change is the number one reason for animal extinction

Scientists are saying that if the earth reaches a temperature 2 degrees Celsius above normal, the earth will see irreversible damages. Currently, we are at risk of reaching this temperature by 2050.

Rising sea levels threaten to wipe out coastal ecosystems completely, thus leaving many animals homeless and without any food.

Scientists are saying that climate change has the potential to make more than a million terrestrial species extinct within the next 50 years if dramatic changes do not take place soon. 3 2

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STARTLING TRENDS...REMEMBER THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE GREATEST FACTOR IN ANIMAL EXTINCTION

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HOW CAN WE CHANGE? We can ultimately help animals by: Switching to a renewable energy. Eating locally grown food. This way you’ll

eat fresher food and won’t have to burn a lot of fossil fuels to transport food.

Changing the temperature on your thermostat. Making it 1 degree cooler in the winter and 1 degree warmer in the summer can help the environment and will save you money.

Using energy smart appliances. Only turning on lights when you are using

them. Turning off the tap while you brush your

teeth. Driving less. Instead try carpooling or taking

the bus. Using energy efficient products. Computers,

copiers and printers are all available. 5

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WHAT WE NEED TO DO... While we may feel insignificant in the grand

scheme of things, we still need to help protect the remaining animal species survive global warming:

There are so many charities worldwide asking for our support. By donating some money we can protect the wildlife.

Organizing bake sales and writing to our premier are two ways in which we can raise awareness and ask for support.

Volunteering time to an organization that aims to help animals.

Basically, by leading a more eco-friendly lifestyle we’ll not only help animals but we can preserve the earth for future generations.

BIBLIOGRAPHYInformation (including graphs): 1.http://www.nwf.org/wildlifeandglobalwarming/effectsonwildlife.cfm 2.

http://www.manicore.com/anglais/documentation_a/greenhouse/gas_graph1.jpg

3.http://www.wwf.ca/AboutWWF/WhatWeDo/ConservationPrograms/GlobalWarming/effects.asp

4. http://mian.mike.googlepages.com/extinctionrates.gif/extinctionrates-full.jpg

5.http://www.wwf.ca/AboutWWF/WhatWeDo/ConservationPrograms/GlobalWarming/takeaction.asp

Images: 1.http://www.nwf.org/wildlifeandglobalwarming/effectsonwildlife.cfm 2.http://bcrc.bio.umass.edu/vifishandwildlife/Education/AquaticEd/Posters/

MangroveHabitats.jpg 3. http://static.flickr.com/64/207836370_501760ba77.jpg 4. http://img.timeinc.net/toh/images/portals/gogreen.jpg 5. http://micogle.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/stop-global-warming1.jpg