The 2019 theme for Earth Day is Protect our Species. This campaign is intended to bring awareness and education to protect threatened and endangered species. The campaign goals include:
- Educate and raise awareness about the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species and the causes and consequences of this phenomenon.
- Achieve major policy victories that protect broad groups of species as well as individual species and their habitats.
- Build and activate a global movement that embraces nature and its values.
- Encourage individual actions such as adopting a plant based diet and stopping pesticide and herbicide use.
All living things have an intrinsic value, and each plays a unique role in the complex web of life. The good news is that the rate of extinctions can still be slowed, and many of our declining, threatened and endangered species can still recover if we work together to build a united global movement. Below are a few quick facts on the current wave of extinction.
Fact Sheet: Global Species Decline
| Fact #1 |
We are amidst the largest period of species extinction in the last 60 million years. Normally, between one and five species will go extinct annually. However, scientists estimate that we are now losing species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the normal rate, with multiple extinctions daily. Multiple species will disappear before we learn about them or the benefits they bring to our planet. [1] |
| Fact #2 |
A new study has suggested that insect populations have decreased by more than 75% in Germany over the last 28 years. This is very alarming: 80% of wild plants rely on bees and other insects for pollination, and 60% of bird species rely on insects for food. [2] |
| Fact #3 |
Habitat destruction, exploitation, and climate change are driving the loss of half of the world’s wild animal population. [3] |
| Fact #4 |
Primates, our closest animal relatives, are under extraordinary threat. Close to 60% of the world’s 504 primate species are threatened with extinction, and 75% of our primate species are in severe population decline. [4] |
| Fact #5 |
Worldwide, more than 650,000 marine mammals are caught or seriously injured by fishing gear annually. [5] |
| Fact #6 |
In the past 20 years, around 75% of all toothed whale species, such as dolphins, porpoises, and 65% of baleen whale species (humpback, blue), and 65% of pinniped species (sea lions) have been affected through bycatch in fishing operations globally. [6] |
| Fact #7 |
40% of the world’s bird species are in decline, and 1 in 8 is threatened with global extinction. [7] |
| Fact #8 |
Our big cats, including tigers, leopards, and cheetahs are in critical decline, and many will become extinct in the next decade. The world’s cats are exploited for their body parts and skins. China remains the world’s largest market for these critically endangered species along with the black rhino and other species. [8] |
| Fact #9 |
Lizard populations are especially vulnerable to climate change. A recent study projects that if the current decline in lizard populations continues, 40% of all lizard species will be extinct by 2080. [9] |
| Fact #10 |
The American Bison once numbered in the millions and roamed from Alaska to Mexico. They now occupy less than one percent of their original habitat. Their existing habitat is so small and tightly controlled that surviving bison have been compared to herded cattle. [10] |
Source: earthday.org