70% of Wildlife Populations Have Declined Since 1970: What Can You Do to Help?
If you’re reading this, you were probably also devastated by the recent news presented by the World Wildlife Fund. It was shocking to hear the report that arose in mid-October surrounding the dramatic drop in the overall wildlife population. In the World Wildlife Fund’s 2022 Living Planet Report, it was reported that the wildlife population around the entire planet has plummeted a shocking 70% since 1970.[1] The prime cause of this decline points directly toward us, humans, and the destructive habits that we call everyday life.
The WWF labels activities such as pollution, overfishing, deforestation, and land exploitation as the leading causes of these population losses.[2] Sadly, although this issue spans the entire planet, the human population only discussed the problem for a matter of days on social media platforms; and as I write this article, talk about the issue has all but died out. This disappearance in the media is not surprising, considering that the previous WWF’s Living Planet Report showed a similar attention span after revealing a staggering 60% loss of wildlife populations worldwide in 2018. In only four years since that report, 10% of the world’s wildlife populations have declined further.[3] The message is not loud enough. If we wait another four years, will we see that 80% of the world’s wildlife population has disappeared? Well, I’m not here to wait around, and if you’re still reading this post, you shouldn’t be, either. We can adopt many habits to help lower our impact on climate and environmental issues. Even little changes in our everyday habits can make a big difference if many adopt them. For example, we can reduce our pollution levels by practicing zero-waste methods at home and promoting them to friends and family, we can carpool and use public transit instead of driving, we can limit our use of plastic products and boycott fast fashion, and we can compost instead of throwing away food waste. Each of these habits can reduce the pollution that we as individuals put into the world; after all, when you throw something away, the only “away” is to another place on Earth.
[1] https://earth.org/wildlife-population-decline/
[2] https://earth.org/wildlife-population-decline/
[3] https://c402277.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/publications/1187/files/original/LPR2018_Full_Report_Spreads.pdf
Follow These Endangered Species Activists!
Luckily, many people are spreading the word on these issues and offering solutions on how individuals can assist in making the planet more liveable and cleaner for every species. These influencers strive to enact change for the earth and the wildlife around them. So, if you want to learn how to help make change for these issues, speak up and spread the word, and influence others to be a part of the change, then here are some media influencers who are making a difference that you can follow!
Up first is Bea Johnson, who runs her lifestyle Instagram page under the guise of @zerowastehome. Bea is an influencer who calls herself the “mother of the zero-waste lifestyle” and spends her time advocating and teaching others about the benefits of living zero waste. She understands that living with zero waste can be challenging and going waste-free can be impossible in some situations. To combat this issue, she offers many easy alternatives to items and habits that have a massive environmental impact and encourages everyone to try to be zero waste. Bea’s lifestyle and teachings flourish under the rule that we don’t need some people doing zero waste perfectly, but we need everyone doing zero waste imperfectly. You can find her bestselling novel “Zero Waste Home” and her TED talks online if you wish to check them out, and if you want to impact your carbon footprint and pollution output, check out her page to change your habits today! Just a little can go a long way.
Up next is Lizzie Carr, the founder of Planet Patrol, a non-profit organization that helps to clean up, research, and educate about the consequences of plastic pollution. Lizzie uses her love of paddleboarding to clean up the garbage on waterways and encourages others to do the same. Both Instagram pages of Lizzie and Planet Patrol offer numerous suggestions and guides on how people can reduce their plastic footprint and get involved in cleanup efforts around the globe. Further information keeps followers up to date on current issues surrounding plastic pollution and climate change, as well as the toll these issues are taking on wildlife and the environment. So if you wish to stay up to date on these issues, learn how to reduce your plastic pollution levels, or become a part of a cleanup crew, give @lizzie_outside and @onplanetpatrol a follow and hop on board the journey to a cleaner earth.
Lastly, the final page worth mentioning is @racingextinction. This Instagram account exposes issues of endangered species and the study of mass extinctions. The account explains the hardships of animal species worldwide, from those living in the oceans to those living on the land and in the sky. They expose how animals worldwide are suffering from human choices and paying the price for our negligent actions. They offer in-depth information on many environmental issues, specializing in endangered species, and they provide resources for education and for followers to get involved in the issues at hand. You can find many links, videos, and resources to get involved in the campaigns they offer and help make a difference and take a stand with endangered species worldwide.
Spread the Word to Help Save Endangered Species
Today, thanks to social media, it has never been easier to spread the word and speak our minds, and it can be as simple as reposting, sharing, and liking a post to enact an uproar for an issue that you are passionate about. Unfortunately, the animals being so negatively affected by human actions can’t express their need for help in the ways we can. That means that we must be their voices. We must change our efforts little by little to enact change and make the world around us a home for all species, not just ourselves. The tips and accounts mentioned above are just a tiny steppingstone to the beginning and continuing that journey. Just because it may not be happening in your backyard doesn’t mean it isn’t happening in someone else’s, and what happens anywhere on the planet impacts everyone and everything. So, I encourage you. Be loud, sign online petitions on essential issues, keep educated and involve yourself on these important topics.
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Written by Tara Karosas (BA (Hons) in Legal Studies)