Species have existed and naturally gone extinct since the beginning of time. Many people credit the extinction of animals and other species to natural selection and “survival of the fittest.” Although it is a natural process, studies indicate that extinction is happening quicker now than ever before. The reasons behind the extinction of world species are manifold, but humans are mainly responsible. Human activities such as deforestation and mining are posing considerable risk to endangered species. These activities are changing the earth and making it difficult for species to adapt. This is a problem that needs to be addressed; otherwise, the world is at great risk of losing its species completely. This paper will delve at discussing how scientists and concerned people are trying to protect species and prevent endangered species from extinction.
Human beings are the greatest threat to the survival of endangered species. The number of endangered species rises every year due to human activities like poaching, destruction of habitats, and the effects of climate change. Scientists predict that by 2050, 30 to 50 percent of world species will be on the way to extinction (Sromero, 2015). Among the species which are at great risk of extinction include the Amur leopard, Cross River Gorillas, Mountain Gorillas, Hawksbill Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, Sumatran Orangutan, Sumatran Elephant, Saola (sometimes referred to Asian Unicorn), Vaquita, South China Tiger, Sumatran Tiger, Black Rhino, Javan Rhino, and the Sumatran Rhino (One Kind Planet, 2016).
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The greatest threat that many species in the world are currently facing is the widespread destruction of habitats. Many species are losing their habitats due to deforestation, mining, and other human activities. Scientists believe that the best way to protect endangered species is to protect their habitats. By protecting the places where they live, species will have places to find food, shelter, and raise their young ones. Therefore, forests, parks, wildlife refuges, and other open spaces ought to be protected in order to protect species and prevent endangered ones from extinction. In turn, this will provide us with great places to visit and enjoy.
Scientists and engineers are also playing a significant role to save natural habitats and prevent extinction. Engineers from the different field such as architectural, material, mechanical and chemical engineers cooperate with environmental scientists, as part of the design process, to collect information that will help them design products to fight extinction. For instance, some scientific studies have shown that the emission of greenhouse gases mainly causes global warming. The studies have also shown that global warming could endanger some species. Engineers utilize this scientific evidence to design products, like electric cars, to reduce pollution in order to reduce the risk of extinction. Architectural engineers are building structures that are more energy efficient; marine engineers are working to save coral reefs, and chemical engineers are producing clean energy. All the works of these engineers are aimed at directly or indirectly protecting habitats and regulating the climate.
Arguably, animal and plant species are on the way to extinction. Human activities are posing a significant threat to the survival of endangered species. Unless this issue is addressed, we are at great risk of losing our species completely. Human beings are responsible for protecting endangered species, and therefore, we need to put measures in place to protect species and prevent endangered ones from extinction. By protecting their habitats as well as by designing products and structures that are eco-friendly or that can help fights extinction, species will have places to live, places to find food, shelter, and raise their young ones.
References
One Kind Planet. (2016). Top 10 most endangered animals. [Online]. Retrieved from: https://onekindplanet.org/top-10/top-10-worlds-most-endangered-animals/ . Accessed 27 th August 2019.
Sromero. (2015). Protection of endangered species. [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.teenink.com/opinion/environment/article/806363/Protection-of-Endangered-Species/ . Accessed 27 th August 2019.