Life on Land

By Nikita Kheni

Earth is an extraordinary planet, the only one known to have life. Earth has undergone five mass extinctions that occurred naturally. The sixth mass extinction is happening right now — and it is the first extinction being caused by humans. This extinction may even become permanent, and millions of species including humans may cease to exist if climate change is not addressed. Climate change is the biggest threat to future generations. The lack of clean water, the excess of carbon dioxide levels causing temperatures to rise globally, and the loss of shelter caused by rising sea levels due to climate change are destroying this planet.

Terrestrial wildlife and biodiversity are immensely important for protecting the planet. Biodiversity loss is a large problem currently due to the destruction of habitats for several species in order to pursue development. Land degradation, biodiversity loss, the introduction of invasive species, and illegal wildlife poaching and trafficking is continuing at rates that could make it not possible to meet the 2020 SDG Goal 15’s target aims to protect life on land, including animals, terrestrial ecosystems, and forests.

Forests are especially important for ecosystems around the world since they are a source of livelihood for communities, are home to 80% of terrestrial species, and they act as carbon sinks. “Forests cover 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, provide vital habitats for millions of species, and important sources for clean air and water, as well as being crucial for combating climate change,” according to the United Nations Development Programme. They are also home to indigenous peoples who maintain the ecosystems they live in. Several forests are also in danger due to wildfires, deforestation.

Deforestation is done to create more space for agriculture and infrastructure development. However, this put several species in danger of losing habitats and going extinct. In 2019, the world lost numerous species including the Sumatran rhinoceroses in Malaysia, the Sierra de Omoa streamside frog in Honduras, Indochinese tigers in Laos, the Cryptic treehunter birds in Brazil, and more. Many countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia are releasing excessive carbon dioxide emissions due to deforestation, leading to a rise in global temperatures and climate change. The Amazon rainforest is an example of rapid deforestation with fires being used to clear whatever is left of the land. The loss of forests leads to desertification and disproportionately impacts poorer communities.

Only four percent of species terrestrial species are wild mammals, while the rest are humans or farm animals. And this 4% is dying due to the illegal wildlife trade. Trafficking of wildlife is a major issue impacting the world’s ecosystems and biodiversity. The illegal wildlife trade is a form of transnational crime affecting over 120 countries around the planet, eroding biodiversity, fueling conflicts, and feeding corruption. Wild animals are in danger of going extinct because of the demand for “culinary indulgences and traditional medicine, [and] exotic pets and status symbols.” These black markets make up to $23 billion dollars a year due to the illegal wildlife trade. Lists of endangered species that at risk of going extinct and under international protection are growing, but the illegal wildlife trade continues to poach and traffic these species and blocking conservation efforts.

Indigenous and local communities are at the forefront of fighting against poaching and illegal mining and logging. Indigenous peoples’ are struggling to maintain their rights to their land, territory, and natural resources. Environmental degradation and governments working to urbanize their countries are blocking and violating these rights. Indigenous communities have the resources, the knowledge, and the relationship to the lands they live on to ensure that degradation that could threaten the environment does not happen. Protecting their rights is crucial for addressing climate change and environmental degradation that effects sustainable life on land. Protecting their rights will also protect ecosystems and biodiversity.

The pesticide industry is also responsible for destroying several ecosystems. The Bhopal Gas Disaster is the largest industrial disaster in the world. It is also one of the many horrific environmental and human rights violations in recent history. It killed people, animals, and nature, infiltrating the air and drinking water. When such disasters occur, it threatens entire communities and entire ecosystems. This is why ensuring that industrial practices are not harming people, but also wildlife is so crucial. Reviving these ecosystems is not easy, and sometimes impossible if the damage is too extensive to be reversed.

Without making conservation efforts and sustainable change for the planet’s ecosystems and biodiversity, we could potentially lose around million species within the next thirty years. Our planet is no longer existing in the most sustainable way. If humans continue ignoring the effects of climate change, this planet will lose everything that makes it habitable.