Human induced extinction

HUMAN-INDUCED EXTINCTION

By Prince Echica

OVERHUNTING

More than 100 million animals are reported killed by hunters in the United States each year. (Delaware Action for Animals)

Approximately 60 percent of elephant deaths are at the hands of poachers.(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

Nearly 80% of the world's fisheries that are already fully exploited, over-exploited, depleted, or in a state of collapse. (The World Counts)

POLLUTION

At the time of listing as “threatened” or “endangered” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, more than 430 species were significantly impacted by pollution.(Defenders of Wildlife)

HABITAT LOSS

Wildlife habitat in the world is being destroyed at a rate of approximately 5,760 acres per day or 240 acres per hour.(African Conservancy)

Approximately 80 percent of the decline in global biological diversity is caused by habitat destruction. (African Conservancy)

Wetlands have suffered particularly extensive losses, with 85% of these habitats globally being destroyed by human activity. (Grantham Research Institute)

WORKS CITED

“Pollution, One of the Five Drivers of Biodiversity Loss.” Defenders of Wildlife, defenders.org/blog/2022/12/pollution-one-of-five-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023. “What Are the Extent and Causes of Biodiversity Loss?” Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, 2 Dec. 2022, www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/what-are-the-extent-and-causes-of-biodiversity-loss The World Counts, www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/planet-earth/oceans/overfishing-statistics. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023. “Animal Matters.” Animal Matters, www.animalmatters.org/facts/wildlife/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.