Humanity must act quickly to save Earth’s species.

The annual report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicates that a the largest extinction in 65 million years is underway on our planet and that humans must act quickly to halt it. The IUCN publishes the ‘Red List,’ a collaborative effort of 1,700 scientists considered the global standard for conservation monitoring. According to the IUCN report, a quarter of all Earth’s mammals, as well as one out of eight birds, one out of three amphibians, and 70 per cent of plants face extinction. Mr Valli Moosa, President of the IUCN and former environment minister of South Africa declared at the conservation congress held this week in Barcelona, Spain: “There is a clear sense of urgency. We must …step up to the 21st century challenges, and meet the twin menace of climate change and the degradation of ecosystems.”

International Union for Conservation of Nature, we appreciate your sharing of these disquieting statistics. May we halt these losses by extending our care to all beings and cherishing the rich diversity of life on our planet.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Tech%2Band%2BScience/Story/STIStory_286435.htmlm,http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/science/earth/07mammal.html?hp,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCN_Red_List, http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/one-in-five-australian-mammal-species-at-risk/2008/10/06/1223145261833.html, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081003-164410/Mass-extinction-may-be-underway—experts, http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1730759_1731034_1731049,00.html

Climate change causing quicker spread of infectious diseases.
 
A new report from the Wildlife Conservation Society, titled “The Deadly Dozen: Wildlife Diseases in the Age of Climate Change,” describes the 12 primary infectious illnesses that are now spreading wider and further than before. Mostly present in wildlife and domesticated animals, the diseases can spread to humans as well. Avian influenza, cholera, Ebola, plague and yellow fever are just a few that are now seen to be re-emerging, with the warming conditions aiding their proliferation. The Wildlife Conservation Society is recommending improved monitoring of wildlife to better protect the health of both animals and humans.

We thank you for this valuable research, Wildlife Conservation Society and pray that humanity can avoid these dire consequences of climate change through more caring stewardship of our wondrous planet.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007073928.htm