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List of climate change casualties released by IUCN
last update: Dec 16, 2009 02:13 PM
From various articles: The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released a list of ten species that are likely to be among the hardest hit by climate change. On the list are various Polar animals.
Polar Fox (photo: Kris Molle, Polar Conservation Organisation)
The Emperor penguin, the Beluga whale, the Ringed seal and the Arctic fox are on the list. The listing of the IUCN coincides with the negotiations by world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference to come up with an international agreement to combat climate change.
Co-author Wendy Foden said in a press release: "Humans are not the only ones whose fate is at stake here in Copenhagen – some of our favourite species are also taking the fall for our CO2 emissions. This report should act as a wake-up call to governments to make real commitments to cut CO2 emissions if we are to avoid a drastically changed natural world. We simply don’t have the time for drawn-out political wrangling. We need strong commitments and we need them now."
The reason why the report doesn't include the polar bear is because most people are already aware of the threat climate change poses to the world's largest bear.
Simon Stuart, Chair of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission, said in a press release "Ordinary people are not powerless to stop these tragic losses. They can cut down on their own CO2 emissions and voice their support for strong action by their Governments to change the dire climate prognosis we are currently facing."
Read more:
MongaBay, 14th December 2009
Vancouver Sun, 14th December 2009
