Conservation seeks to understand, protect and maintain the Earth's interconnected ecosystems. The increasing pressure and demands we place on these systems can’t be sustained, and we’re already experiencing the effects of this in countless ways.
Animal conservation is part of the broader field of conservation—the study and protection of:
1. Earth’s Biological Diversity: encompassing the variety of all life on the planet including ecosystems, species, and genes; and
2. Earth’s Natural Resources: plants, soil, water, air, and minerals.
Back in the early 2000s, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for a report to assess human impact on the environment. This landmark report was published in 2005 as The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). One of its key findings pointed to the unprecedented impact of human activity on ecosystems over the past 50 years in order to meet our demands for food, water, timber, fiber, and fuel. More recently, the comprehensive IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services continued to explore and build on the findings of the MA report.
Unfortunately, we have to face the facts. These, and many other studies, confirm that we are destroying the only home we have and share with a spectacular array of creatures. About 75% of land environments and 65% of marine environments have been dramatically altered by our activities.
One million animal and plant species, at least the ones known to us, are facing the threat of extinction.
What is animal conservation?
Animal conservation refers to the various initiatives and activities to help protect and preserve wildlife in their natural environment. One aspect of animal conservation has to do with protecting endangered animals, but it also places a large focus on the environment and habitats that these animals live in. Animal conservation includes a wide range of initiatives such as educational programs for local communities, environmental protection and support, anti-poaching projects, and various initiatives to save animals from extinction.
Around 8% of the United States is protected for both environmental and wildlife conservation. This has become increasingly important as human activity and wildlife crime have threatened the very existence of many species in North America.
Why is conservation important?
1. Biodiversity
By its own design, the natural world is organized and evolved to function at peak performance. It consists of various plants, animals, and ecosystems to survive, and in turn provides us with nourishment, water, oxygen, and much more. Conservation helps to protect this natural order so that healthy ecosystems can exist well into the future.
2. Preserving nature
Animal conservation can help preserve the natural beauty of the environment. This can protect habitats and ecosystems so they can be around for generations to come.
3. Education and learning
Preserving the natural environment will allow scientists to continue to study various animals and plants in their natural habitat. This is particularly important in the fields of medicine as most modern medicines are derived in some way from plants, animals, and microbial organisms.
Some difficult issues
One of the major issues that conservation organizations face when lobbying for more environmental support is the economic cost of conservation. Besides the financial cost of cleaning and maintaining the environment, many commercial organizations lobby against conservation for their own economic goals. This has led to deforestation, pollution, and the under-financing of various conservation companies and non-profit organizations.
While funding may hinder conservation directly, indirect impacts have made animal conservation more difficult. Climate change is one of the largest threats to animal conservation around the world. Global warming is projected to bring over a third of all animals and plants to extinction in the next 50 years if we don’t make drastic changes. That’s an incredibly short amount of time for such major changes to occur. Younger generations hitting their teens or twenties now can expect things to be very different once they get to retirement age.
The importance of supporting conservation organizations
With the help of thousands of dedicated professionals, organizations such as the WWF and IUCN have done incredible work by conducting research, spreading awareness, running initiatives, and lobbying authorities to help fund and maintain wildlife species around the world. These organizations, and many others both large and small, do important work and depend on companies, governments, and generous individuals to fund their projects.
Ultimately, the task of saving our world's ecosystems can’t just wait for governments and big companies. As individuals, we can participate in many different ways so our future generations can inherit a healthier planet.
