The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is a report on the health of the world’s biodiversity. It is a comprehensive source of information on the conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.
In October of this year, an update to the IUCN Red List was released and it listed 172,620 species of which 48,646 are threatened with extinction. Arctic seals are facing pressure from climate change, as their habitat is threatened with higher rates of global warming. The loss of sea ice, which is important for breeding, resting and feeding, is the key reason for the decline in the population. The seals are part of an ecosystem in which larger animals such as polar bears, are reliant on seals as a food source. When the seal population declines, the impact is felt in other species.
Birds are also facing declining populations due to deforestation and the report noted that “61% of bird species have declining populations – an estimate that has increased from 44% in 2016.”
Not all the news was negative. The status of the green sea turtle moved from Endangered to Least Concern. This is due to years of sustained conservation action to restore this keystone species and protect the significant impact it has in its marine environment. Roderic Mast, Co-Chair of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Marine Turtle Specialist Group said:
“The ongoing global recovery of the green turtle is a powerful example of what coordinated global conservation over decades can achieve to stabilise and even restore populations of long-lived marine species. Such approaches must focus not only on the turtles, but on keeping their habitats healthy, and their ecological functions intact. Sea turtles cannot survive without healthy oceans and coasts, and humans can’t either. Sustained conservation efforts are key to assuring that this recovery lasts.”
The story of the green sea turtle can serve as a reminder that when we consistently show up to do the work, change will follow.