Climate Change and its Impact on Animals

Introduction

• Special video to support journalistic initiative on climate issues.
• Focus on how climate change affects animals and ways to enact change.

Human Development and Environmental Impact

• Unsustainable growth in the last century.
• Increased:
  • Carbon emissions
  • Natural resource usage
  • Environmental pollution
• Results in:
  • Extreme drought
  • Melting ice caps
  • Torrential rains and flooding

Consequences for Biodiversity

• Significant reduction in fresh water availability.
• Potential 150 species extinctions daily.
• Animals are more sensitive to temperature/humidity changes.

Examples of Affected Species

• Bats:
  • Large bat species unable to adapt to high temperatures.
  • Over 100,000 bats died in a single Australian heatwave in 2014.
• White Storks:
  • No longer migrating south due to mild winters in Iberian Peninsula.
• Geese and Monarch Butterflies:
  • Facing similar adaptation issues.
• Amphibians:
  • Displacement due to dried areas without water, increasing mortality.

Causes of Climate Change

• Deforestation for farming and housing.
• Transportation methods (cars, planes, ships) polluting the planet.
• Creating inhospitable areas and diseases.
• Long-term process requiring efforts from all populations.

Individual Actions to Combat Climate Change

1. Modify Eating Habits:
   • Reducing beef consumption (15,000 liters of water per kg).
   • Increase intake of fruits and vegetables.
2. Increase Proximity in Trade:
   • Find locally produced and organic products.
   • Limit international deliveries to reduce CO2 emissions.
3. Avoid Single-use Plastics:
   • Over 500 billion plastic bottles produced yearly.
   • Choose reusable options and Tupperware instead of packaged foods.
4. Consider Purchases:
   • Polyester clothing and cosmetics impact pollution.
   • Be responsible in consumption choices.
5. Follow the 3 R's of Ecology:
   • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to save the planet.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to share personal efforts in fighting climate change.
• Ending note with a call for audience engagement.