The Scientists Who Witness the Impact of Climate Change
Amid the growing concern about climate change, it's often the human aspect that takes center stage. However, Earth is home to a myriad of species, including animals, plants, and fungi, and we have, for centuries, contributed to making their existence increasingly challenging through deforestation, land development, damming rivers, and pollution. Now, with wildlife dwindling and struggling, climate change has added to their woes. The year 2016 marked a significant moment when scientists in Australia declared the Bramble Cay melomys, a rodent species, extinct due to climate change—a warning of more species to follow if we don't act.
This article introduces seven scientists who meticulously document the repercussions of global warming on the nonhuman world. Their work compels them to confront realities that many of us only read about. Some are resolute optimists, while others grapple with despair, but they all find solace in nature's resilience, recognizing its limitations. These scientists are witnesses to an intricately connected world that we have disrupted.
Laidre: As an ecologist specializing in Arctic mammals, Laidre experiences firsthand the warming Arctic, where she studies species like narwhals and polar bears. The melting ice profoundly affects these creatures' way of life, from mating and hunting to their overall survival. She dedicates herself to understanding this environment objectively as a scientist but also mourns the damage she witnesses, especially for Indigenous communities who rely on these animals for sustenance.
Keith Parker: Parker, a senior fisheries biologist for the Yurok Tribe in Northern California, sees the decline of salmon stocks due to factors like dam construction, water diversion, and climate change. Salmon are integral to the culture and community, and their scarcity has led to increased social issues. Parker's motivation to address these challenges stems from the anger he feels at the detrimental changes to the environment.
Rivera: A glacier researcher since the 1980s, Rivera has observed glaciers worldwide losing significant amounts of ice. He remembers his awe when he first saw a glacier at the age of 15, but over time, he has witnessed their alarming retreat. While he remains skeptical about the world's response to the climate crisis, he strives to teach adaptation, water conservation, and pollution reduction to his students.
Mounce: Mounce leads a team dedicated to preserving forest birds on Maui, where warming temperatures are expanding the range of disease-transmitting mosquitoes. The kiwikiu, a bird species, is particularly vulnerable, with only about 130 individuals left. The invasive mosquitoes have decimated the population, leading to a tragic decline. Mounce and her team are working on innovative solutions, like mosquito birth control, to save these birds.
Boersma: Over four decades, Boersma has studied a Magellanic penguin colony in Argentina's coastal desert. Her research documents a yearly decline in the colony's size. Penguins are particularly affected by heat and rain, with wet chicks unable to thrive. Heatwaves have resulted in mass penguin deaths, underlining the environmental impacts of climate change. Boersma attributes many of these challenges to overpopulation and overconsumption.
Obura: Studying coral reefs since 1992, Obura has observed a significant coral loss in the world's oceans. His experience in the Phoenix Islands, once a vibrant and colorful reef ecosystem, was transformed by coral bleaching caused by warming oceans. He believes that reducing consumption and shifting to more sustainable lifestyles are vital to protect coral reefs.
Gonzalez: As a forest ecologist and climate-change scientist in the Sahel region of Africa, Gonzalez has seen tree deaths and a transformation in vegetation. This ecological shift has had severe consequences on local communities and their well-being. Witnessing these changes inspires him to work harder on climate action, reduce emissions, and encourage sustainable living practices.
These scientists remind us that the consequences of climate change are not limited to humans but affect countless species and ecosystems worldwide. They offer unique perspectives and a call to action to address the challenges our planet faces.
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