Controversial legislative actions and management strategies threaten the progress made in wolf recovery efforts. Despite federal wildlife authorities declining pleas to reinstate safeguards for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, conservation groups continue to advocate for their protection.

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In recent decades, there has been a paradigm shift in attitudes toward wolves, largely due to a better understanding of their ecological importance. Wolves are now recognized as apex predators. As such, they contribute to controlling the populations of prey species and ensuring the overall balance and health of the ecosystem. However, it will be hard to uphold it if the agencies and legislative bodies are reluctant to maintain this balance.

Conservation and animal protection groups are willing to take a stand after federal wildlife authorities declined their pleas to reinstate safeguards for gray wolves in the northern US Rocky Mountains. Wolves in the Northern Rockies are found in parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, eastern Washington, and northern Utah.

The agency said that the species is not in enough danger of extinction despite some states targeting to cull their populations through hunting. On the contrary, in a press release published earlier this month, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) stated that they aim to complete a new initiative – the “first-ever nationwide gray wolf recovery plan” – by December 2025. 

This is said to be associated with implementing efforts at certain sites to reduce threats and protect them. Despite this, some animal conservation groups continue to express frustration over federal officials for “harming wolf recovery by denying wolves in the northern Rockies the powerful federal protections they deserve.” 

In May 2021, the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, and Humane Society of the United States sought to have the Northern Rockies wolf population added to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), yet their plea was disregarded. The FWS declared the gray wolf endangered at the species level (Canis lupus) in most of the country in 1978, while the wolf population in Minnesota was categorized as threatened.

In 2011, Congress intervened through a congressional rider on a must-pass budget bill. It removed the Northern Rockies population – Idaho, Montana, eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and northern Utah – from the endangered list and prevented judicial review of this decision. Wolves belong to the same family as foxes, coyotes, domestic dogs, jackals, and several extinct species, collectively known as canids.

The rejection of the petitions also means that authorized wolf hunting can proceed in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. The conservation groups argued in the petition that allowing renewed hunting of wolves in certain Western states could erase decades of progress toward their recovery if federal protections were not reinstated. 

What Drives Such Draconian Measures?

Wolves and humans have a long-standing history of conflict. Some might argue it is rooted in fear, misunderstanding, misconceptions, and old animosities towards these apex predators that persist. Incidents of wolf attacks on humans are rare, and wolves are not just pests to be exterminated at will. Wolves were once on the brink of extinction in the lower 48 states, and significant strides have been made to reintroduce and protect them. 

The legislation includes measures such as offering bounties of up to US$2,000 for killing wolves. Idaho has allocated over $1 million for the systematic killing of wolves, which seems a misplaced set of priorities. Instead of investing in sustainable coexistence strategies, Idaho has chosen to squander resources on a misguided campaign of killing.

After they were taken off the ESA list, wolves in the Northern Rockies were widely hunted and harmed. Historically, they were hunted to near-extinction in numerous regions due to ranchers’ fear for their livestock, hunters perceiving wolves as competition, and politicians pandering to these sentiments for short-term gains. 

Idaho legislation (Senate Bill 1211) authorizes the state to enlist private contractors, grants hunters, and trappers unrestricted authority to kill wolves, and allows hunters free rein to kill wolves on private land during the year-round trapping season. The same methods permitted for trapping wild canids in Idaho are also accepted for trapping wolves. 

It also allows hunters and trappers to use dogs and vehicles to hunt down and kill wolves. Over the past two years, they have already killed over 560 wolves and are aiming to reach 800.

In 2017, wolves were removed from the ESA list, but Wyoming is not any better off than Idaho. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) allows individuals to hunt wolves year-round in most parts of the state without requiring a license. This includes utilizing methods such as using snowmobiles to chase them down and destroying dens where wolf pups and mothers reside.  

Hunters in Wyoming have lawfully killed many wolves that come within about 10 miles of the Colorado border. Wolves may be moving back into Colorado naturally or through planned efforts to reintroduce them. 

Montana has also passed laws aimed at aggressively culling wolf populations. The statehas expanded the wolf-trapping timeframe by four weeks and instituted a bounty program to reimburse hunters and trappers for wolf-killing expenses. They aim to eliminate 90% of their wolf population and have already killed more than 235 wolves this season. 

Nick Gevock, a Sierra Club field organizer for the Northern Rockies, expressed frustration with the FWS for failing to acknowledge the detrimental impact of the methods employed by Idaho and Montana on wolf populations. 

Gevock likened these methods to those used in the 1800s to eradicate wolves and argued that they are unsuitable for modern wildlife management. “No other species is treated this way, and it’s reversing what was a great conservation success story,” said Gevock.

The successful reintroduction of gray wolves to their former habitat in the Northern Rockies region and the achievement of the goal of 15 breeding pairs of wolves in each state across the region earlier than expected were among the remarkable stories in the history of wildlife conservation. Not until these draconian measures start to gain support from legislative bodies.

Four conservation groups informed the FWS of their intention to take legal action regarding the agency’s “illegally” denying the request for wolf protection. The petition might be denied, but conservation and animal protection groups committed to a shared goal will still stand out for fighting for the rights of these species.

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The Philippines is located in the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Recently, Mindanao – the country’s second-largest island – was hit by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake which caused significant damage and trauma. Despite a tsunami warning, there were limited human casualties, although homes and infrastructure suffered heavily. The country faces the threat of “The Big One,” a potential, massive earthquake that could potentially strike the Philippines with devastating consequences, especially given the historical context of earthquakes that have occurred in the archipelago. 

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Background

The Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters, given its status as one of the most “disaster-prone” countries in the world. We are routinely afflicted by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as we are situated on the western edge of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area particularly prone to these kinds of disasters. The country also sees an average of 22 tropical cyclones entering its Area of Responsibility every year and, among these, about six or seven result in significant damage and dozens of casualties.

The second-largest and southernmost major island in the Philippines, Mindanao, is battered. We are cognisant that an earthquake is a natural occurrence, happening when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust, eliciting seismic waves that cause the ground to shake. 

My family and the rest of our neighbors had already settled down after their work, odds and ends, and were partaking in the weekend night. At least until 10:37 pm. We were shaken by one of the strongest earthquakes we had experienced in our lives. People struggled to breathe, and even those who experienced it repeatedly found the occurrence very disturbing and different from previous quakes. We moved farther inland and waited, thinking it would eventually subside, as we were accustomed to. However, we slowly surrendered to the fact that we would experience aftershocks for several days or possibly even a few months.

As indicated by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the December 2 quake was caused by movements in the Philippine trench. At this instant, this narrative nabs the ongoing documentary of our experiences in Mindanao, where our community is still experiencing jolts of trauma and anxiety amidst the ongoing colossal quake. The earthquake was first classified as a 7.5 magnitude earthquake by the PHIVOLCS, though the institute later adjusted it to 6.9 and ultimately revised it to 7.4.

Following the high-magnitude quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially expected tsunami waves in Southern Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, and Malaysia though fortunately, all warnings were eventually lifted. More than 600 aftershocks were documented, fluctuating between 1.4 to 6.5 in magnitude, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. PHIVOLCS recommended caution as people resumed normal activities, aftershocks continued to instill fear, and the lengthy list of records continued to increase.

The quake killed at least three people and left 79 injured. Homes and infrastructure have been significantly damaged, and a huge number of buildings were destroyed. The Philippines, home to a large number of rural areas, is generally ill-equipped to deal with such natural catastrophes, contrarily to some countries – such as Japan – which have developed a “robust building code requiring all buildings to be built to withstand earthquakes.” Aside from structural damage to buildings and infrastructure, other less widely recognized effects include landslides, changes in water sources – which can lead to long-term alterations in local hydrology and water contamination, disruption of natural processes, and irreversible damages in some coastal areas.

Is “The Big One” Yet to Come?

Stories of “The Big One” have accompanied me throughout my whole life. The recent 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao has not yet been dubbed “The Big One,” and people doubt it will ever happen. 

“The Big One” has been a historic concern for everyone in the Philippines, dating back centuries. Judging by its name, it is expected to be truly colossal. The Philippines has a history of colossal earthquakes, such as the 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake (7.9 magnitude, 17,000 casualties) and the 1990 Luzon earthquake (7.8 magnitude, 4,390 injuries, 1,283 deaths). 

According to a 2023 study, 6,158 people died following earthquakes between 1599 and 2020. “The Big One” is predicted to strike with a 7.2 magnitude on the West Valley Fault (WVF), and it is believed to have the potential to kill at least 34,000 people. In the last 1,400 years, a total of four major earthquakes have occurred on the WVF.

Unfortunately, there is no “reliable technology in the world that can confidently predict the exact time, date, and location of large earthquakes.” Scientists can decipher a recurrence interval, which refers to the average time span between earthquake events. As brought up earlier, the Philippines is inured to natural catastrophes and, given the archipelago’s proximity to active faults, earthquakes are no new occurrence. 

According to PHIVOLCS, the WVF’s most recent movement occurred in 1658, nearly four hundred years ago. This hints that we might be on the brink of another major fault movement. While a 7.2 magnitude may not sound as brutal, given the Philippines’ historical record, and with certain seismological projections predicting the possibility of another 8.5-magnitude earthquake occurring offshore, a substantial shift along the West Valley Fault could set the stage for a catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude in a country that is far from ready to deal with its consequences.

Our Country Is Not Ready

The country’s inadequacies boil down to a complex synergy of factors but first and foremost the economic challenges that plague the archipelago. The Philippines, a “developing” country and, according to a 2022 report by the UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the pandemic left 18% of its population – circa 20 million people – in poverty.

Beholding the bleak consequences of poverty in my homeland, I have seen firsthand how high birth rates and poor governance contribute to a dire situation. Children end up living in squalor, constructing makeshift homes under bridges, and foraging for food on busy highways. I have witnessed an 11-year-old shouldering the responsibility of a 2-year-old sibling while pleading for some food. 

And now, the imminent threat of “The Big One” amplifies the vulnerability of these marginalized lives, given their already precarious existence. The lack of suitable shelter and infrastructure leaves them exposed to unprecedented risks.

Over the decades, the nation has struggled to provide a vigorous infrastructure capable of serving the needs of its population, which now exceeds 113 million. Additionally, Filipinos suffer from the toll of poor governance – a subject that has always been a topic of debate, causing divisions and wedges in most communities due to political polarization.

Given that poverty, inefficient resource allocation, inadequate infrastructure development, policy instabilities, and social inequalities are just a few of the factors making the country ill-equipped to withstand destructive natural hazards, Filipinos stand to demand a strategy that not only lifts the most vulnerable out of poverty but also fortifies the nation against the impending threat of an unprecedented earthquake. 

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The post After a 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattled the Philippines, We Awoke to the Fact That We Are Not Ready for ‘The Big One’ appeared first on Earth.Org.

21 species were declared extinct and removed from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list in 2023. This stresses the imperative need for conservation, drawing attention to the accelerating rate of species loss. The situation serves as a wake-up call for prioritising wildlife conservation before it becomes too late. As the ESA marks its 50th year, the focus remains on preventing extinction and achieving species recovery to eliminate the need for ongoing protection.

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As we respire in a modernised society with technological advancements and some apparent societal progress, there are still silent crises that represent an inescapable truth for every endangered animal hovering on the verge of extinction. Each extinct species tells a story of adaptation, survival, and, ultimately, a tragic epilogue. The thought of future generations growing up in a world where the majority of species exist only in history books is a glaring nudge that there is a part of our ecosystem that will always be deficient and in disequilibrium.  

In recent years, scientists have raised alarms about the one million species of plants and animals that are currently at risk of disappearing. A 2019 report stated that the current rate of species loss is increasing at a pace tens or hundreds of times greater than historical rates. The exigency dwells not just in the numbers but in the ticking clock that is tied to them. Over 500,000 land species have “insufficient habitat for long-term survival” and are predisposed to extinction. This is contingent on whether concerted efforts will be made to restore and preserve habitats.

In October 2023, 21 species were removed from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list as they became extinct. The majority of these species were included in the ESA in the 1970s and 1980s, with extremely small populations or probable extinction by the time they were listed.

You might also like: What Is the Endangered Species Act?

The decision to delist these species was not made lightly. Upon carrying out painstaking assessments using the “rigorous reviews of the best available science” for each species, the US Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that these species are extinct and should be delisted from the ESA. Despite earnest efforts to reverse the situation, federal protection “came too late,” as the inevitable passage of time also continued without mercy.

“The 21 species extinctions highlight the importance of the ESA and efforts to conserve species before declines become irreversible. The circumstances of each also underscore how human activity can drive species decline and extinction by contributing to habitat loss, overuse, and the introduction of invasive species and diseases,” the official announcement on the US Fish and Wildlife Service reads.

In September 2021, the US Fish and Wildlife Service originally proposed the delisting. However, the initial proposal involves the removal of 23 species from the ESA. After receiving public input on the suggested regulation, the Service has decided to retract the proposal to remove the endangered status of a particular species, namely, a perennial herb native to Hawaii (Phyllostegia glabra var. lanaiensis). The agency also continues to scrutinise and evaluate another bird included in the initial proposal, the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis).

The situation serves as a “wake-up call on the importance of conserving imperilled species before it’s too late,” as asserted by Service Director Martha Williams. 

“As we commemorate 50 years of the Endangered Species Act this year, we are reminded of the Act’s purpose to be a safety net that stops the journey toward extinction. The ultimate goal is to recover these species, so they no longer need the Act’s protection.” 

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The post What the Updated Endangered Species Act Tells Us About the Future of Biodiversity appeared first on Earth.Org.

Louisiana’s air quality, particularly in Cancer Alley, is deteriorating, putting black residents at a higher risk of developing cancer. The Biden administration’s decision to halt an investigation, despite clear evidence of discrimination, raises concerns about environmental injustice. While the EPA’s lawsuit targets emission reductions from Denka Performance Elastomer LLC, detractors worry that the administration’s withdrawal establishes a concerning pattern, leaving the fight against toxic pollution and racial injustice in limbo and affecting the well-being of impacted communities.

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Across the United States, there has been a consistent and laudable trajectory of improving air quality over the recent decades, leading to improved well-being and a more favorable environment for all. However, the same cannot be said for Louisiana, a state that is experiencing a concerning reversal in the quality of its air. But there is a depth beyond initial impressions. This is not just about industrial pollution and environmental degradation; it is an exposition of racial disparity and a blatant demonstration of how marginalized black residents are disproportionately exposed to danger.

Earlier this year, the Biden administration decided to end the investigation into allegations of racial discrimination against Louisiana officials, albeit with initial evidence of discrimination. This was regarding the increased cancer risk faced by Black residents in an industrial area. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) assertion that a resolution is unattainable by a July deadline effectively closes a door that many activists in predominantly Black communities hoped would lead to better health outcomes. This just adds to how the gears of bureaucracy often turn slowly, leaving those most vulnerable to environmental hazards in a perpetual state of trepidation.

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Louisiana’s Cancer Alley

In 1987, when Jacobs Drive residents in St. Gabriel, a low-income community with about 50% of its population from correctional facilities, noticed a surge in cancer cases, they termed it “Cancer Alley.” The term expanded to cover an 85-mile stretch along the Mississippi River, from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, including several parishes. The term Cancer Alley is not only jarring in its sound, but it also detrimentally changed the way residents live their lives. Many ominously called it “Death Alley,” with the Port of South Louisiana leading as the largest port by tonnage in the Western Hemisphere (and the second busiest trade zone for energy and grain in the US).

Despite claims that industrial plants “benefit” minorities through employment, a 2003 study revealed low African American employment (4.9%-19.4%) compared to the county’s overall population (49.2% in 2000). This industrial dominance is not without its discernible downsides. Refineries, waste pits, and the hazardous consequences of industrial processes mar the landscape. The Denka/DuPont neoprene plant in St. John the Baptist Parish, now owned by Denka, flagged concerns with the EPA due to a cancer risk from air pollution over 700 times the national average.

Environmental Racism

Witnessing the unfair allocation of environmental impacts based on race from the same people who also hope to prevent our planet’s downfall, we must acknowledge that, in reality, inequality not only weakens the core of environmental initiatives but also drives wedges among diverse communities committed to a shared goal.

Environmental racism is a deeply rooted issue that manifests in the disproportionate exposure of minority communities, particularly those inhabited by people of color and low income, to environmental hazards and pollutants. These communities often find themselves situated near industrial facilities, waste disposal sites, and other sources of pollution, arising to adverse health outcomes. 

The historical context of discriminatory land-use policies and zoning decisions has perpetuated this injustice, concentrating environmental burdens in areas with vulnerable populations. The relentless destruction and exploitation of lands and communities endured by people of color prompted them to gather at the National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in 1991 to take a stand against the harm inflicted on their lands and communities. Out of this came the Principles of Environmental Justice, outlining 17 core beliefs. 

This environmental injustice, deeply rooted in over 500 years of colonization and oppression, has led to the poisoning of their surroundings and the genocide of their people. The principles address the systemic issues perpetuating this harm, from toxic production and hazardous waste disposal to discriminatory public policies. The document calls for an end to these destructive practices and advocates for the right of communities to be equal partners in decision-making processes.

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The End of Cancer Alley Investigation

In April 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigated complaints about whether Louisiana officials had unfairly exposed Black residents to a higher cancer risk and had breached the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Federal authorities found proof of discrimination and pressured the state to improve its supervision of industrial plant emissions. According to the EPA, evidence showed increased cancer risks for Black residents near a chemical plant in Louisiana, prompting the Agency to criticize state officials for allowing high air pollution levels while downplaying the danger. 

In October 2022, the EPA posted a letter on its website. The communication to Louisiana authorities discusses initial findings of racial disparity involving two state departments within the entire corridor stretching from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. This includes a facility identified by the EPA as a significant emitter of a cancer-causing substance, as well as a proposed plastics complex. 

The letter asserts that there is cogent evidence to suggest that the actions or inactions of these departments have negatively affected and continue to harm Black residents in St. John the Baptist Parish, St. James Parish, and the officially named Mississippi River Chemical Corridor, which spans 85 miles. The letter also indicates that the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has allowed the Denka polymer plant to subject nearby residents and elementary school children to elevated chloroprene levels for many years, thereby increasing their cancer risk. 

In March 2023, Federal officials filed a lawsuit against Denka Performance Elastomer LLC. The complaint demands reductions in toxic emissions. Despite emission reduction efforts over time, on behalf of EPA, the Justice Department contends that the plant remains a prominent threat to public health. Michael Regan, the EPA Administrator, has asserted that Denka’s efforts to reduce emissions and ensure the safety of the nearby community have not “moved far enough or fast enough.”

However, despite initial promises of accountability, the Biden administration’s abrupt discontinuation of the investigation in June 2023 has left the battle against environmental injustice unfinished. Despite initial evidence of racial discrimination, the EPA took action against Denka, a polymer plant, but Louisiana made no commitments. Activists criticize the retreat, fearing it sets a dangerous precedent and expressing dismay over the potential curtailment of civil rights investigations. The EPA aims to analyze health risks in the community near the Denka plant but won’t force state participation. Another complaint over emissions from a proposed chemical plant was disposed of due to permits in litigation.

To date, the lingering issue remains an oppressive burden for residents in a state grappling with toxic pollution that adversely affects their physical health, coupled with the mental toll of racial injustice. Sharon Lavigne, President and Founder of Rise St. James vividly describes the situation, likening it to a death sentence, as if they are “getting cremated, but not getting burnt.” Only through sustained efforts can we hope to dismantle the oppressive barriers that threaten the well-being and future of affected communities—an initiative that the government should be leading. This fight is far from over, and while investigations may be closed, the conversation on environmental injustices must not be silenced.

Featured image: Flickr/350. org

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Microplastics have long been recognised as a significant environmental hazard. In a new study led by Professor Hiroshi Okochi, Japanese scientists identified microplastics in cloud water, primarily consisting of degraded polypropylene, which poses a threat to ecosystems and contributes to global warming. While the exact transport mechanisms and potential health risks of airborne microplastics in clouds are not fully understood, these findings may influence future climate projections.

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Our environment, once a citadel of natural beauty and biodiversity, is now vulnerable. Pollution, habitat disruption, and the unsustainable use of resources are pushing the planet to the brink. This delicate balance within ecosystems is deteriorating, placing numerous species at risk. 

The human population produces a staggering amount of solid waste each year. Within the extensive spectrum of waste products, single-use plastics notably exemplify our culture’s reliance on convenience and disposable habits.

Our daily lives are permeated with disposable plastics, from plastic utensils to water bottles, and their consequences are all too transparent. Their convenience is undeniable, but the real expense is often shrouded. The proliferation of single-use plastics has led to a pervasive and stubborn problem. These materials do not just disappear once we are done with them; instead, they prevail, causing environmental havoc and threatening ecosystems.

You might also like: 8 Plastic Pollution Statistics to Know About

What Are Microplastics?

In the 1970s, the scientific community was startled by the discovery of minuscule plastic fragments in the massive tract of the open ocean. It wasn’t until 2004 that the term “microplastics” found its way into scientific discourse, describing the persistent buildup of these tiny particles, mere microns in diameter, born from the unrelenting degradation of larger plastic items. This phenomenon had largely evaded study in the sector of plastic pollution concerns until recent years.

Microplastics are broadly categorised into two distinct sources: primary and secondary. The primary microplastics denote microplastics that intentionally infiltrate the environment at a miniature scale, measuring less than five millimeters in diameter. These microplastics are created through industrial processes like extrusion and grinding, serving as raw materials for producing various products, from cleaning agents to the notorious microbeads that have infamously permeated the cosmetics industry.

Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are the offspring of larger plastic items gradually breaking down, be it the wear and tear of tire treads or the gradual shedding of minute particles from synthetic materials. 

Even if we were to cease the release of larger plastic items into our environment today, the proliferation of microplastics is all but guaranteed. This is due to the ongoing fragmentation of the large plastic debris already present in our ecosystems.

Microplastics in Clouds

In a study led by Professor Hiroshi Okochi from Waseda University and published in September 2023, Japanese scientists delved into the trajectory of airborne microplastic particles (AMPs) within the environment to explore the involvement of minuscule plastic particles in the troposphere and the atmospheric boundary layer. 

Researchers collected cloud water from different altitudes, including Mount Fuji (situated on Kengamine, the highest among Mount Fuji’s eight peaks) and Mount Oyama (located 50 km southwest of Tokyo), using advanced imaging methods to detect microplastics. 

They identified various types of polymers in the AMPs, with degraded polypropylene showing a significant presence. The AMPs varied from 7.1 to 94.6 micrometres, with smaller particles found in the free troposphere. In every litre (0.26 gallon) of cloud water subjected to testing, plastic particles were discovered, ranging from 6.7 to 13.9 pieces. The cloud water also contained hydrophilic (water-attracting) polymers, suggesting that they were discarded as “cloud condensation nuclei.”

Polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate were primarily detected at Mount Oyama and Tarobo in the atmospheric boundary layer. Other polymers were found at different locations. Mount Fuji had a more diverse range of polymer types, with polycarbonate being the major. 

According to a 2019 report in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, polyethylene is the most common substance in the surface seawater of the Northwest Pacific Ocean. It has also been detected in cloud water from areas near the ocean surface, suggesting it might come from ocean-based microplastics. Despite the presence of oceanic air, the cloud water had a low sodium concentration, as sea salt particles tend to get washed away by precipitation.

Plastic pollution is a problem we often associate with our oceans and land, but now we are discovering that it extends to the air we breathe. The buildup of AMPs in atmospheric conditions, with a particular emphasis on their presence in polar regions, harms ecosystems. As they infiltrate the food chain, AMPs threaten the very fabric of these delicate environments. Okochi also stated that intense ultraviolet radiation in the upper atmosphere causes AMPs to break down more rapidly than on Earth’s surface, releasing greenhouse gases as they degrade, adding to the factors contributing to global warming. 

However, it is still unclear and has not been extensively studied how these microplastics end up in so many different places, especially regarding the transport of microplastics through the air, as this is also the first report on airborne microplastics in cloud water.

Scientists are also uncertain about whether consuming microplastics is harmful to human or animal health and what specific risks they might pose. Despite these uncertainties, many countries are taking steps to reduce microplastics in our environment. In 2017, a United Nations resolution discussed the issue of microplastics and the need for rules to protect our oceans, their wildlife, and human health. 

Okochi concluded that the findings conducted by the researchers can be used to “account for the effects of AMPs in future global warming projections.”

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Initiatives are being taken to establish a genetic repository in the US to safeguard the genetic diversity of endangered species with the potential to support conservation and cloning. This project has already preserved samples from five endangered species and is dedicated to securing America’s biodiversity heritage.

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Animal extinction and biodiversity loss are long-standing issues, though they have become increasingly imperative over the years due to factors such as habitat destruction, illegal wildlife hunting, and the rapidly deteriorating climate crisis. 

Currently, more than 25% of Earth’s species are at risk of extinction, and this figure could increase to 50% by the end of the century without timely intervention. This biodiversity crisis is considered more drastic than climate change, affecting 28% of all assessed species. The current extinction rate is significantly higher than historical averages. While Earth has experienced natural extinctions over billions of years, in the past century, reckless human actions have exacerbated the situation.

Climate change is subjecting the world’s wildlife to a series of challenges, such as the disappearance of their natural habitats and a decrease in available food. Endangered species in the US are moving dangerously close to extinction at a concerning rate. When these species vanish, there is a risk of losing crucial genetic data that they carry within them, which could have potential implications for the broader ecosystem.

More on the topic: 10 of the Most Endangered Species in the US in 2023

In October 2023, the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) revealed that they have teamed up with the non-profit organisation Revive & Restore and other collaborators to establish a comprehensive genetic repository for endangered species across the US, which aims to safeguard the genetic diversity and biological heritage of the nation’s threatened species in the shortest possible time.

Oliver Ryder, Kleberg Endowed Director of Conservation Genetics at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said, “We want to provide the greatest possible set of options for ensuring the continued survival of the native wildlife of the United States.”

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is also a part of this partnership, actively contributing to the conservation and restoration of endangered species and ecosystems, thus further emphasising its commitment to preserving the natural heritage of the United States.

Revive & Restore was established in 2012 and received support from The Long Now Foundation, an organisation located in the San Francisco Bay Area, United States. The Long Now Foundation is dedicated to fostering a perspective that spans ages within a 10,000-year framework and adopts a far-reaching approach to wildlife conservation. Their mission is to leverage the Genetic Rescue Toolkit, which can advance and optimise traditional conservation practices, in order to support the restoration of biodiversity and bio-abundance for generations to come. The NGO acts as a facilitator for partnerships, an instigator of technological advancements, and a financier of impactful research. All these factors work together to lay the foundation for a brighter future in wildlife preservation.

FWS field staff are employing biobanking, where they collect biological samples, including blood, tissues, and reproductive cells from animals. These samples are cryogenically preserved at frigid temperatures and stored at a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) facility in Colorado. These samples also undergo genetic sequencing, and the resulting data is shared on the publicly accessible GenBank database. 

This repository of frozen living cells is expected to play an integral role in ongoing and future conservation initiatives. It can aid in diversifying gene pools within captive breeding programmes, with the end objective of reviving species populations. Experts also recognise that this resource has the potential for applications in cloning.

The Deputy Assistant Regional Director of Ecological Services for the FWS’s Southwest region, Seth Willey, provided a statement indicating that biobanking offers a means to preserve genetic diversity that is distinctive and cannot be recreated. He also added that, “if done right, [biobanking] creates a marker in time and gives future recovery biologists options, like genetic rescue, that are only possible if we act now.”

Ryan Phelan, the executive director of Revive & Restore, asserts that this expansive project is “creating a legacy of America’s natural history before it is lost and provides an important resource to enhance species recovery efforts now and in the future,” with the mission of creating a comprehensive biobank that includes all endangered mammal species in the country.

Since the project’s launch in January 2023, the organisations involved have already collected and preserved samples from five endangered species, including the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi), the Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus), and the Sonoran Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis). While the initial phase of the programme focuses on 24 endangered mammals in the US, the ultimate objective is prodigious as they step forward to establish a repository that preserves America’s rich biodiversity heritage for future generations.

Check out our Endangered Species Spotlight Series

The post How the US Is Helping Safeguard Genetic Diversity in Endangered Species appeared first on Earth.Org.