Global Warming is a Threat to Wildlife

For my first ever blog post I have chosen the topic of global warming.  Global Warming has been an uprising topic the past couple of years.  Climate change is happening and is getting worse and worse every year.  Before I give out the facts and current position on global warming, id like to tell you my viewpoint on the topic.  When I first heard about global warming a few years ago I didn't think anything of it.  I didn't think that it was happening at the rate it is now, nor did I think it was a big deal.  Recently after reading more into it and seeing more news about it, my mind has changed.  I do think it is a serious threat to all animals and plants.  I think we need to keep looking for solutions to help reduce the rate of global warming. 

There have been some observed changes in wildlife and ecosystems as global warming has gotten worse.  One of the many changes is their change in range.  Many species of wildlife and plants that require cooler temperatures are shifting as far northward as they need to from the climate getting warmer.  These species are able to adjust to the warmer climate but species such as the American pika and polar bear may find themselves with nowhere to go.

 Another change that's happening is changes in natural events.  Many species know when to migrate, nest, or breed from the seasonal temperature, weather, and daylight.  Global warming is interfering with the animals instincts.  The changes in climate are forcing wildlife to alter their life cycle and seasonal events.  A good example would be that some animals are breeding, migrating, or emerging from hibernation earlier than they usually do and cant find the necessary food they need to survive. 

Widespread forest loss is another issue that is occurring throughout the world.  The western part of the United States is greatly affected by global warming.  Warming and drought stress is causing many trees to die and making them more vulnerable to insect infestations.  Higher temperatures and increased fuel are big contributors to wildfires as well.  Higher temperatures are also effecting the Artic Sea ice.  The Artic ice is melting at a faster pace than scientists have predicted.  Many Artic mammals rely on the ice for survival.  Sea levels have started to rise which will inundate beaches and marshes and cause erosion on both coasts, diminishing habitat for birds, invertebrates, fish, and other coastal wildlife.

    

Loss of wetlands is also occurring with global warming.  Higher temperatures are leading to drier conditions in the Midwest's Prairie Pothole region, which is one of the most important breeding areas for North American waterfowl.  Invasive species and disease are increasing as well.  With higher temperatures and changes in rain and snow patterns will enable invasive species to move in to new areas.  Pathogens and their hosts will also move in to new areas as temperatures increase.

Trying to slow the rate of climate change is critical for the future of many species.  To help these species we need to radically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we emit.  Potential solutions would include making vehicles, homes, and buildings more energy efficient.  Increasing wind and solar power and hydrogen produced from renewable resources would also help. 

Global warming is doing widespread and consequential harm to animals and plants, especially to the species that struggle to adapt to new conditions.  Global warming is quickly becoming the biggest threat to the long term survival of America's wildlife.  Average temperatures of the United States over the past century have already increased by more than one degree Fahrenheit.  I hope this blog has gave you the motivation to care more about one of wildlife's biggest threats.  I wanna keep seeing all the beautiful wildlife this world has to offer, so I hope we can find more solutions to prevent more wildlife from getting harmed.



Citations:

National Wildlife Federation [NWF]. 1996-2017. NWF homepage. http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats-to-Wildlife/Global-Warming.aspx. Accessed 1 Mar 2017.

National Geographic Society [NGS]. 1996-2015. NWS homepage. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/03/140331-global-warming-climate-change-ipcc-animals-science-environment/. Accessed 1 Mar 2017.

https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img-wind-and-solar-power-part-i-uncooperative-reality-environment-outlook-part-1-solar-wind_093725210758.jpg

http://public.media.smithsonianmag.com/legacy_blog/05_22_2013_forest-fire.jpg

http://www.livescience.com/images/i/000/085/781/original/american-pika-usgs.jpg?interpolation=lanczos-none&downsize=*:1000