TESC 211 The Science of Environmental Sustainability Autumn 2011UWT

A t a 1% annual extinction rate: within a century >50% of all species would be lost It would take 200, 000 human generations to recover these species. 20 times longer than humans have occupied the planet

What speeds up the rate of extinctions? The most significant causes of extinctions can be summarized by the acronym HIPPCO: Habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation 12.5% of bird species threatened by habitat loss HIPPCO: Invasive species deliberately introduced accidently introduced

HIPPCO: Invasive species 40% of species listed as endangered in the US are on the list because of threats from introduced species 90% of species listed as endangered in Hawaii are on the list because of threats from introduced species Why are the Hawaiian islands so vulnerable?

What speeds up the rate of extinctions? HIPPCO: Population increased demand on ecosystem services more land diverted to human uses “SEVEN billion people will call planet Earth home from this Monday (11/31/2011). That is the projected date at which the number of people alive will pass the seven-billion milestone, according to a landmark study of global population pressures released overnight by the UN Population Fund.” Mark Kenny, The Advertiser 10/27/2011 “SEVEN billion people will call planet Earth home from this Monday (11/31/2011). That is the projected date at which the number of people alive will pass the seven-billion milestone, according to a landmark study of global population pressures released overnight by the UN Population Fund.” Mark Kenny, The Advertiser 10/27/2011

HIPPCO: Population Danica Camacho, the Philippines' symbolic seven billionth baby

HIPPCO: Pollution Pesticides kill ~20% of honey bee colonies responsible for pollinate 1/3rd of US food crops Pollutants can bioaccumulate to tens of millions of times their initial concentration.

HIPPCO: Climate change There is a general consensus amongst the international community that the Earth is warming. “Richard Muller, Koch brothers-funded scientist, declares global warming is real” Nina Mandell, New York Daily News (11/31/2011)

HIPPCO: Climate change Species which are dependent upon sea ice (polar bears, penguins) especially vulnerable. Polar bears hunt seals on sea ice through out winter Estimated 30-35% decrease in polar bear population by out of 17 species of penguins threatened because of rising temperatures

HIPPCO: Climate change Species which are dependent upon sea ice (polar bears, penguins) especially vulnerable. Polar bears hunt seals on sea ice through out winter Estimated 30-35% decrease in polar bear population by out of 17 species of penguins threatened because of rising temperatures

HIPPCO: Over exploitation animals captured for body parts or the pet trade. harvesting for food above MSY harvesting for ornamental plants unsustainable forestry practices

How can we reduce extinctions from human causes?