What Will Happen If Animals Disappear from Earth?

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APR 5, 2020

Protect our wildlife this Endangered Species Day

Rise in the greenhouse effect. Depletion of the ozone layer. Formation of acid precipitation. Our planet as we know it succumbs to its demise. No, I’m not just throwing different environmental crises at you. These are all consequences of an imbalance in our ecosystems, which will be the aftermath if we don’t act fast to save our species going extinct everyday.

According to scientists at the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, there are 150 species going extinct everyday. They can be described as those who currently are in existence, but it may NOT be the case unless we take the necessary action to protect them.

Endangered Species day is upcoming on May 21 2021, so let’s take part by creating and joining the conversation to learn more about and increase awareness of the utmost importance of safeguarding and preserving our endangered wildlife.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recognized over 26,500 species that risk extinction worldwide. In 2020, the WWF reported that the world experienced a 68% average decline in species from 1970 to 2016. That isn’t even a span of 50 years! Natural causes and most of all, human destruction of wildlife and their habitats play the predominant role on why this number is alarmingly high. If you want to dive deeper into the “Why” and causation of endangered animals, take a look at our previous blog (Top 10 Endangered Animals).

Let’s talk about the other “Why”. Why should I care? Why do we need to act now? Why is this important anyway? The answer lies in a concept that we learned in the second grade. It’s simple. Our ecosystem. Ever heard of the saying “every man for themselves?” Well, that doesn’t apply here, because our ecosystem is interconnected and interdependent on one another. Think of it like the domino effect. A change in one = an effect in all.

Although it may seem unimportant if we lose one species along the food web, but, a minor change can result in a tornado of problems that compromises the functionality of our ecosystem and disturbs the balance of biodiversity that affects us ALL. This means impacting our food, water, health, and environment, leading to further extinctions, and ultimately, leaving us in a never-ending cycle.

This isn’t a new phenomena. In fact, we’ve seen this before with the gray wolf population in the U.S. Humans, being mother earth’s most selfish creatures, can never seem to sit still and let nature run its course. So of course, we intervene for our own self-interests of urbanization, capitalization, which led to a mass extermination of the species. Problem solved? Hell no! Here's the visual spark note of the situation.

Notice how the removal of one animal species disrupted the rest?

And it doesn’t just stop here. The chain of reactions goes on and on because organisms in an ecosystem need each other to survive (us included)! We cannot live in symbiosis (basically environmental harmony) if we let our endangered species become extinct. And unfortunately, too many are on the brink of it. I don't know about you, but I don’t want the existence of our wildlife to be limited to the four corners of my TV screen, or the stuffed polar bear on my little cousin’s bed. We need to live in a world where the beauty of wildlife exists among us, and for this to happen, we need to do better.

How You can Be the Force for Change

#1. Spend money where it counts.

Protect our wildlife and save the planet by putting your money towards the cause. You can support and donate to organizations like OI Pejeta that are actively engaging in wildlife conservation by protecting multiple endangered species. Your money directly contributes to the cause and works to preserve our ecosystems.

If you’re unable to donate, you can shift to sustainable consumption which ensures the prevention of habitat destruction of endangered species.

Or what if you could do both? What if you could purchase ethically sourced and sustainably produced clothing that ALSO donated to wildlife conservation to support an endangered species of your choice. Sounds like a Win-Win-Win to me!

In case you haven’t checked us out yet, Awoke N Aware does exactly that. From our packaging to our production, every step is curated with utmost sustainability, AND the best part… 15% of your purchase goes directly to saving polar bears, rhinos or elephants. Your choice. We’re all about looking good, feeling good, and doing good. Protect our endangered species, save the planet, and look fly AF doing it.

#2. Reduce Your Use of Plastic

A recent study found that 100% of sea turtles had plastic or microplastic in their systems. Pervasive plastic pollution in our oceans is causing severe harm to our ocean wildlife and is threatening their chances of survival. If you’re someone that has daily plastic use, start small and substitute your plastic grocery bags for reusable ones, plastic straws for paper ones. Every. Effort. Counts.

#3. Buy Organic Food

Synthetic pesticides can be toxic to certain organisms, which are fundamental components of the ecosystem. Although it can be pricier, organic farmers use non-toxic or natural pesticides to grow their crops. But, it’s worth the extra $$ because who wants to be ingesting harmful chemicals anyway?

#4. Don’t buy products made from endangered or threatened species

The ivory trade is heavily to blame for the decline in elephants. Poachers kill over 100 African elephants a day for ivory, meat, and other body parts which has resulted in a 95% decrease in the population over the last century. Products that are directly made from endangered animal species are the epitome of the species' decline. Be Aware of where your products are coming from!

Endangered species day is everyday. Everyday, we must implement habits and changes in our lifestyle to preserve the animals that risk extinction. Your actions count. Every action taken to preserve our endangered species is an action taken to save our environment.

Comment below what you do, or will do to start protecting endangered species.

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Written by Duaa Ahmed

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Also in The Official Blog of Awoke N' Aware

Sustainable-Mothers-Day

Top 10 Endangered Animals

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