Why do Animals Become Endangered?

Throughout the years different species of animals have existed, many have come and go. Years ago there were various species. Many don't exist anymore and some have never even been heard of. As time goes by species continue to go endangered and extinct faster and faster every time. Each year ecosystems, habitats and species are added to the endangered list. The increase in endangered species is a big issue that raises concern because every species provides something that all humans need. For example, bees are responsible for more than half of the food that is consumed worldwide. Actions to prevent this issue from continuing to skyrocket need to happen and there are a few things that people can do to help prevent new species from being added to the list and to help those that are already on the list. There are various reasons as to why animals are endangered, there are actions taking place to help reduce this issue but there are also things that everyone can do to help reduce this problem.

There are few solutions that are offered in order to help species in their environments but they are only temporary. In the article titled, Endangered Species, Ecosystem Integrity, and Human Livelihoods, the author Aburto-Oropeza states, The behavior of quick-fix-type management, in which longer term environmental degradation is not addressed, vast sums of money are invested, and social well-being left unconsidered is by no means sustainable. (Aburto-Oropeza) As this quote states, sometimes there are fixes that are implemented but they don't really offer a solution because they only work for a short period of time. There is nothing set in place that can guarantee the safety of these species in a long term period of time.

When new establishments want to be built, or people want to go out fishing or hunting there are regulations set in place in order to attempt to protect animals and their habitats but they're not always successful. The article, Endangered Species, Ecosystem Integrity, and Human Livelihoods states, Successful management, on the other hand, should be focused on longer term goals with minimal or zero governmental subsidies (Sumaila & Pauly 2007), and no additional risk to the integrity of local ecosystems. (Aburto-Oropeza) Having successful regulations for this issue would mean that no habitats or ecosystems are destroyed in the making of new buildings or in fishing or hunting but sadly that isn't the case. Ecosystems and habitats are constantly being destroyed while these regulations are in place, which goes to show how much work still has to be done in order to save the animals that are have left.

However there are some things being done successfully. For example, there are now acts and laws set in place in order to ensure a bit more safety for animals, such as the U.S Endangered Species Act which focuses on preventing extinction of animals from the endangered list, however, even this is not enough. In the article Consistent Extinction Risk Assessment under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the author Boyd, Charlotte states, Identifying species at risk of extinction is essential for effective prioritization of conservation actions in the face of accelerating biodiversity loss (Butchart; Boyd). Listing decision depend on science-based risk assessment and policy decisions about society's willingness to tolerate risks. (Boyd) In order to give certain species attention there needs to be some kind of prioritizing system set in place, which the act provides but this leads to some species becoming extinct because of the fact that not all of the species can get the attention they need in the time necessary.

The article, Consistent Extinction Risk Assessment under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, states, Nevertheless, allowing populations to fall below critically low abundance thresholds may lead to a sharp reduction in the chances of recovery while the costs of recovery efforts increase. (Boyd) This explains how even when species that are on the list or at high risk get all the attention needed it is possible that recovering them can become very expensive. The best way to avoid losing these animals is to prevent them from becoming endangered in the first place. Things that can be done are simple, for example, not littering, not hunting or fishing for fun, if one is going to build a home or a structure follow the regulations to avoid destroying an ecosystem, simple things like these can go a long way.

According to the website www.worldwildlife.org there are a lot of endangered species and within the species specific kinds of animals are dying. For example there about nineteen species that are critically endangered, twenty eight endangered, eight species threatened and eighteen vulnerable to endangerment. These species are crucial to the environment and survival of humans. For example, bees are crucial to the environment, livelihood and the majority of the food production worldwide but they are endangered. Some species are at higher risks and some are new to the list, nonetheless, it is urgent that they are protected. The U.S Endangered Species Act has played a crucial role in conserving these species that are vital to survival, which makes protecting it very necessary, according to the world wildlife website this act is the most effective law to prevent extinction.

According to the www.worldwildlife.org website under How to help and Follow these green tips, there are a number of things that can be done to help. For example, when doing laundry use the low setting to save water and use cold water to wash clothes in order to save up to eighty percent of energy required to wash clothes. By saving water and reducing the use of energy, the overuse of elements from habitats is minimized, therefore protecting ecosystems and the animals living in them. Another thing to do is switching light bulbs from incandescent light bulbs to a compact fluorescent light in order to save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

This limits the amount of excess carbon dioxide that can become harmful and even deadly to animals and damage habitats. By purchasing fresh, local food one can reduce the amount of oil used in transportation of the food. This can reduce the amount of oil that is dumped into the oceans and kill thousands of animals at a time. Using reusable grocery bags reduces the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean. Plastic is a big issue animals consume it believing it is food, some marine life end up tangled in plastic traps, for example, plastic holders from sodas or juices. Making sure faucets don't leak in your home or making sure windows are properly sealed maintains the use of water and energy to the minimum. Recycling is one of the best things one can do to help protect ecosystems, habitats and animals. Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space and 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity. When washing dishes at home by hand close the tap when scrubbing the dishes. Also, use a microwave ovens instead regular ovens because they are about 95% more energy-efficient. Taking shorter showers reduces saves water and using less paper reduces the amount of trees having to be cut in order to produce more paper. These are only a few things that one can do to preserve natural habitats and ecosystems and protect animals.

Now a days this is a topic that had been addressed more and more, with good reason. Although it may not be completely obvious how animals contribute to life in general, it is crucial that they are protected because the more animals that become extinct the more the human livelihood decreases. The food, the environment, the views, the air, everything would be harmed in ways that could become impossible to fix.

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