Natural Environment Blog

A 6 degree increase in average temperature could force one species of kangaroo to extinction.

Global warming could seriously diminish kangaroo populations over the next 20 years, according to researchers from James Cook University in Townsville, Australia.  

The result of the study has been published in the December issue of Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. 

The researchers, Euan G. Ritchie and Elizabeth E. Bolitho, estimate that a 2 percent increase in temperature could shrink kangaroos’ ranges by 48 percent. A 6 degree increase in temperature could shrink ranges by 96 percent. 

These projected temperature ranges are not unheard of either. Climate models indicate that a temperature increase of between 0.4 and 2 degrees is likely to occur in northern Australia by the year 2030, and anincrease of between 2 and 6 degrees is expected by 2070.

Extinction

Global warming could force one species of kangaroo to extinction.

The antilopine wallaroo, a kangaroo species that resides in wet tropical climates, may become extinct if temperatures increase by 6 degrees.

It all depends on how the animal can adapt. Such a temperature increase would produce an environment that is seriously lacking in water. Even an increase in 2 degrees could shrink its geographic range by 89 percent.

The Main Cause - Less Water

The decrease in available water is what would cause the most harm. It’s likely that the kangaroos themselves could cope with higher temperatures - as long as their habitat didn’t change. Unfortunately, increased temperatures would lead to less available water, and less water would lead to a much different (and drier) environment to live in.

The kangaroos would be forced to adapt or move. Unfortunately, even if they could move to another environment, it’s unlikely that the vegetation and topography that they’re used to, would shift at the same rate.

The authors of the study write, “If dry seasons are to become hotter and rainfall events more unpredictable, habitats may become depleted of available pasture for grazing and waterholes may dry up, this may result in starvation and failed reproduction… or possible death due to dehydration for those species that are less mobile”.

According to this article by The Australian newspaper, research has found that global warming is directly responsible for declining seabird populations.

The research, compiled by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, was carried out in the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. The research was then used for a report called Seabirds and Shorebirds in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area in a Changing Climate, which was commissioned by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Environment Protection Agency.

The reseach found that warmer water near the surface of the ocean, forces fish and plankton away from the surface of the water. This causes the seabirds and their young to go hungry, as it is more difficult to find prey. This in turn, means the seabirds are less likely to breed.

According to the report, the warmer water is being caused by more frequent and intense El Nino events.

In some areas, seabird populations have declined by up to 96 percent.

Also, the report found that, around Heron Island in 2003, a 1 degree increase in temperature reduced shearwaters’ feeding frequency from once every two nights, to once every five.

Another report, produced in December last year, identifies 31 bird species in Australia that are at “high risk of extinction”. 

The report, entitled The State of Australia’s Birds 2007 - Birds in a Changing Climate, says that a 2 to 5 percent rise in temperatures will lead to the extinction of many species. The urgency of the situation is highlighted when you consider that experts are forecasting that temperatures will rise to those levels within the next 60 years or so.  

The birds at most risk are those around the savannas and rainforests of northern Australia, where the climate is much warmer.

“There is a clear sense of urgency”.

That’s what, Valli Moosa, the president for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) told delegates at the World Conservation Congress (WCC) during the opening session on Sunday.

After the 4th day of the congress, Moosa said:

In the last four days the call to protect the planet has been heard from both government leaders and the NGO community. Environmental concerns are now at the top of the decision-makers priority list.

Moosa wasn’t the only one with this sentiment. IUCN Director General, Julia Marton-Lefèvre said: 

Absolutely everyone now agrees that we can’t postpone decisive action if we are to avoid major disruptions in all spheres of human and natural activities. Business as usual is not an option.

About the Congress

The congress, being held in Barcelona, Spain, brings together more than 8,000 of the world’s leading decision makers in sustainable development: from governments, NGOs, business, the UN and academia.

The objective of the congress is:

Ideas, action and solutions for a diverse and sustainable world.

In total, 125 motions were forwarded to the congress for discussion. The motions fall under the following categories:

• Governance (13 motions)
• Biodiversity Conservation (54 motions)
• Ecosystems and Human Well-Being (26 motions)
• Climate Change (8 motions)
• Energy (4 motions)
• Economy, Market and Finance (7 motions)
• Law, Policy and Ethics (10 motions)
• Education and Communication (3 motions)

You can read the full list of motions on the IUCN website. 

The congress is being held over 10 days between 5 October and 14 October, 2008.

Did you know that in 2007, arctic summer sea ice reached its lowest extent on record?

Did you know that carbon dioxide levels are at their highest levels in 650,000 years?

And did you know that the global average sea level has risen 4 to 8 inches over the past century?

Well, if you’re into these kinds of statistics, you’ll probably be interested in NASA’s climate time machine. It’s an interactive tool that allows you to see how things have changed in recent years regarding the earth’s climate, sea levels, ice levels, and carbon dioxide emissions.

In New Zealand, the Christchurch city council chopped down six trees smack bang in the middle of the city today. What makes it astonishing, is that today is both World Environment Day and Arbor Day!

The council has admitted that this was a “terrible coincidence”. The trees were being removed to make way for a controversial service lane.

Given the theme for his year’s World Environment Day (”Kick the habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy!”), this is even more of a “terrible coincidence”. Forest destruction is one of the worst causes of greenhouse gas.

And, the fact that New Zealand was also observing Arbor Day makes it almost laughable. The whole purpose of Arbor Day is to encourage individuals and groups to plant and care for trees!

And, as if that’s not enough, New Zealand was also the official host of this year’s World Environment Day…

One Christchurch resident said:

As a city that is known as the Garden City, we have that image to uphold. This makes a mockery of `let’s be aware of the environment and let’s walk or cycle to work

I imagine there will be a few red faces in the Christchurch City Council today!

Well, I’d never recommend you do this at home but…

…what better way to celebrate World Environment Day than to climb a skyscraper with your bare hands - and without a rope!

Alain Robert, 45, climbed The New York Times building in Manhattan. Robert reached the top of the 52 story building before being arrested and whisked away by police.

Robert had previously told reporters that he planned to raise awareness of global warming since this is one of the main problems for our time.

When visiting Alain Robert’s website today, you’ll see a banner ad at the top. Clicking on this ad takes you to Robert’s The Solution Is Simple website, where you can send a message to the leaders at next month’s G8 meeting in Japan.

By the way, Robert’s “Simple Solution” is as follows:

1. Stop Cutting Down Trees. Plant More Trees.
2. Make Everything Energy Efficient.
3. Only Make Clean Energy

Wow! It really is simple!

By the way, a second climber was also arrested for climbing the same building today. The cause (if any) is a little unclear at this stage, but he was wearing a “Malaria No More” tee shirt. The Malaria No More organization said they had nothing to do with him.

Prince Charles has today launched the official website for his Rainforest Project. As I mentioned earlier, today is World Environment Day, so it’s a perfect day for launching a website aimed at saving the rainforests.

The main aim of the project, which launched on October 25 last year, is to make the rainforests “more valuable alive than dead”. Today, in many developing countries, rainforests are worth more dead than alive. This is mainly due to demand from developed countries for beef, palm oil, and soya.

When launching the Rainforest Project at a WWF dinner in October last year, Prince Charles said that rainforest destruction is responsible for around 20 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases, second only to the energy sector. Further to this, both the Stern review and the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change report believe tackling deforestation may be one of the quickest and most cost effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the short term.

Prince Charles also said the following about the deforestation issue:

It seems to me that the central issue in this whole debate is how we put a true value on standing rainforests to the world community – we simply have to find ways of putting a price on them which makes them more valuable alive than dead.

Elaborating on this, Prince Charles says the project’s objective is:

To find innovative ways of paying the countries that are the custodians of the tropical rainforests an appropriate price for the eco-system services they provide and so out-compete the drivers of deforestation.

In today’s money driven society, this makes a lot of sense. After all, if countries are paid more for their eco-systems services than they are for the drivers of deforestation, then they will no longer allow their own rainforests to be destroyed. Furthermore, not only will they see value in keeping their existing rainforests, they will also see value in increasing the size of their rainforests - after all, more rainforest means more money.

How Will The Project Achieve Its Objective?

The project is engaging with rainforest nations, governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations to find the solutions to deforestation.

The project is also backed by 13 major global companies: Shell, Rio Tinto Zinc, McDonald’s, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Sun Media, Sky, Deutsche Bank, Man Group, KPMG, Barclays Bank, Finsbury and the European Climate Exchange.

Furthermore, the project is being advised by experts including: Lord Stern; Steve Howard, Chief Executive of the Climate Group; Kevin Conrad, the Executive Director of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations; Andrew Mitchell of the Global Canopy Programme; Kristalina Georgieva, Vice President of the World Bank; Reijo Kempinnen, head of the European Commission Representation in the UK; and Barry Gardiner MP.

How You Can Help

You can pledge your support on the Prince’s Rainforest Project website.

Video of Prince Charles Introducing the Rainforest Project

Here’s a video of Prince Charles introducing the Rainforest Project, as well as explaining why he feels this is such an important cause.

As I mentioned the other day, the Australian government, in its 2008 federal budget, announced increased spending on environmental issues.

This includes $200 million to go towards protecting the Great Barrier Reef. The package is being called “Reef Rescue” and aims to tackle climate change and improve water quality around the Great Barrier Reef. Given the Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world, this is welcome news.

A large part of the funding will go towards grants to landowners and managers. The main aim with this is to reduce sediment from entering the waters around the Great Barrier Reef. Currently, water quality around the reef is being affected by this pollution from the land.

Reef Rescue Allocation

Reef Rescue is divided up into 5 different parts:

• Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Grants ($146 million)
• Healthy Reef Partnerships program ($12 million)
• Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Research and Development program ($10 million)
• Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting program ($22 million)
• Land and Sea Country Indigenous Partnerships program ($10 million)

Here’s an explanation of each of these parts (taken from the official budget website):

Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Grants ($146 million)

The majority of these funds will be provided in the form of matching grants (with matching funding) to landowners and managers who commit to implementing proven practices that reduce loss of nutrients and sediments, while improving farm productivity. This will be delivered in partnership with peak industry groups and existing regional Natural Resource Management groups.

Healthy Reef Partnerships program ($12 million)

A program to build partnerships between peak industry organisations and non-government organisations that support landowners with increased local expertise and extension staff. It will build on existing programs in rural industry bodies and regional NRM groups.

Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Research and Development program ($10 million)

To improve our understanding of the link between land management practices and environmental impacts. Research priorities will be determined in consultation with the Queensland Government, universities and research organisations, and other stakeholders.

Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting program ($22 million)

This funding will allow further development and implementation of a coordinated catchment-wide water quality monitoring and measurement program with established criteria and targets. The funding will also provide for the annual publication of a Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Report Card.

Land and Sea Country Indigenous Partnerships program ($10 million)

This program will build the capacity of traditional owner groups in sea country management. The funds will be used to strengthen communications between local communities, managers and reef stakeholders and build a better understanding of Traditional Owner issues about the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Funding will also be available for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to allow for the expansion of the Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements across the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

Reef Rescue will play an important role in the survival of the Great Barrier Reef. Let’s hope it’s not too late.

Glaciologists at Massey University have confirmed that the Tasman Glacier, in New Zealand’s South Island, is retreating at its fastest rate in recent history.

Since the 1990s, the glacier has been retreating at an average rate of 180 meters per year. This rate will likely increase to between 477 and 822 meters per year over the next 10 to 19 years.

Dr Martin Brook, lecturer in physical geography in the School of People, Environment and Planning says that the glacier’s faster retreat rate is mainly due to the fact that there is now a lake sitting right in front of the glacier.

This lake didn’t even exist back in 1973. And even as recent as 1990, the lake was very small.

The lake was formed by the glacier’s melting ice. And now, as the glacier melts, the lake becomes higher. And as the lake gets higher, it melts the glacier ice.

This will continue until the lake cannot expand any further (because of the surrounding mountains). This will take between 10 and 19 years based on current calculations.

According to Dr Brook:

The glacier followed a slow retreat phase for a while, in that a thermo-erosional notch in the ice cliff face would develop at the water line, melt back into the glacier undercutting the ice above, causing the ice to collapse into the lake.

But what is happening now is that a short foot of ice is extending out into the lake away from the ice cliff, and the glacier is now in a period of fast retreat. This is because as the water depth increases so does the speed of retreat – simply, a much larger part of the glacier is submerged and the water, even at only two degrees celcius, is still able to melt the glacier ice

Having seen Tasman Glacier with my own eyes, I find this news quite sad. OK, it may not be the most spectacular looking glacier in New Zealand but it is the largest. Although most of the world’s glaciers are retreating, not many are retreating at this rate.

The above photo is one that I took during a walk to Tasman Glacier. You can see a small part of the lake at the top of the river. If I understand correctly, the place where I took this photo may be submerged within a few years…

The above photo is one taken from the track to Mueller Hut (opposite Tasman Glacier). You can see that the glacier is covered in rock and debris. You can also see the 7 kilometer long lake that has formed in front of the glacier. This lake will be 16 kilometers long within 10 to 19 years…

The Reef Check Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to conservation of two ecosystems: tropical coral reefs and California rocky reefs. According to its website, Reef Check aims to:

• Educate the public and governments about the value of coral reefs and rocky reef ecosystems and the crisis facing them
• Create a global network of volunteer teams, trained and led by scientists, that regularly monitor and report on reef health using a standard method
• Facilitate collaborative use of reef health information by community groups, governments, universities and businesses to design and implement ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions
• Stimulate local action to protect remaining pristine reefs and rehabilitate damaged reefs worldwide especially through the creation of Marine Protected Areas.

Reef Check includes 3 major programs:

1. EcoAction Program – an education and certification program for kids to adults who want to learn more about the ocean and take part in protecting reef ecosystems.
2. Coral Reef Management Program – a coral reef monitoring and management system that focuses on establishing Marine Protected Areas to conserve coral reefs while encouraging sustainable use of surrounding reefs by local residents.
3. Reef Check California – a volunteer monitoring program for California rocky reefs designed to provide data for managers and to build a conservation constituency among California divers.

Reef Check works with volunteers in more than 80 countries to help protect and rehabilitate the world’s coral reefs. Much of this work involves monitoring reefs and their marine life, as well as formulating ways to manage their protection and/or rehabilitation.

If you’ve ever been snorkelling or scuba diving, you’ll appreciate the beauty of coral reefs. You might also be aware of the fact that many of the world’s coral reefs are actually dying. In my article on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, I mentioned that factors such as global warming, overfishing, and land pollution are causing major issues for coral reefs. This is where Reef Check hopes to make a difference.