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GO GREEN
CARE
FOR OUR
EARTH
The Bleak Future of
Endangered Species
Endangerment is a becoming issue throughout the world.
Although some measures are being taken to help specific
cases of endangerment, the universal problem cannot be
solved until humans protect the natural environments where
endangered species dwell.
Habitat destruction and overexploitation are often the
primary causes for endangered species. Our planet is
continually changing, causing habitats to be altered and
modified. When changes occur at a fast pace, there is little
or no time for individual species to react and adjust to new
circumstances. This can create disastrous results. It may take
centuries to re-grow a forest that was cut down by humans
or destroyed by fire, and many of the world’s severely
threatened animals and plants live in these forests. If the
current rate of forest loss continues, huge quantities of plant
and animal species will disappear.
Due to the trade in animal parts, many species continue
to suffer high rates of exploitation. Unrestricted whaling
during the 20th century is an example of overexploitation,
and the whaling industry brought many species of whales
to extremely low population sizes.
Among other factors are disease, pollution, and limited
distribution (a consequence of other threats) that threaten
various plant and animal species. Often, human activities lie
at the root of most causes of endangerment.
Why Save Endangered Species?
Plants and animals hold medicinal, agricultural, ecological, commercial and aesthetic/recreational value. Endangered species
must be protected and saved so that future generations can experience their presence and value.
Protect Endangered Species For Our Next Generation
Every one of us is part of this world, if we start doing something today, it will all add up! Here are some things you
can do:
1. Do not pour paint or chemicals into the ground or into the gutter. If you do, it will get into the water we drink, and
into the lakes and oceans where it may harm the animals that live in the water and on the shore.
2. Make a compost heap and let worms eat your garbage! Use it to feed your plants instead of chemical fertilizers.
3. Reduce, reuse and recycle! Try to reduce the amount of garbage you throw away. Recycle paper, cardboard, cans, bottles
and plastic. Buy things that don’t come packed in lots of cardboard and plastic; buy bigger quantities – it is cheaper
and there’s less packaging.
Identify The Endangered Species
Out of the 15 species listed below, 12 are in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Identify them. Answers will be published
in the next issue.
Chimpanzee Dolphin Elephant Gorilla Green Pitcher Plant
Siberian Tiger Marine Turtle Whale
Orangutan Giant Panda Polar Bear Rhino Strangler Fig
Giraffe
Wild Boar
Reference : Suzuki, David, and Boyd, David R. David Suzuki’s Green Guide. Vancouver: Greystone Books, 2008.
www.endangeredspecie.com
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