Urgent: How Climate Change Threatens the Survival of Thousands of Animal Species

Climate change is becoming a major threat to animals worldwide, joining overexploitation and habitat destruction as key drivers of biodiversity loss. A recent study reveals that at least 3,500 species face direct danger from rising temperatures, intense storms, and droughts.

Led by ecologist William Ripple from Oregon State University, the research utilized international databases to show that a significant risk exists, especially for invertebrates. Marine animals are particularly vulnerable, unable to escape warmer waters.

Ripple noted, “We’re on the brink of a crisis for wild animals.” Historically, overexploitation and habitat changes were the main concerns, but climate change is quickly becoming a third and severe threat.

The study analysed data from 70,814 species across various classes, using the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) threat categories. Alarmingly, climate change threatens at least one-quarter of species in six entire classes, largely involving invertebrates. Mammals, birds, and reptiles also face considerable threats.

The oceans are especially at risk as they absorb most excess heat from greenhouse gases. Ripple expressed concern for marine invertebrates, stating their limited movement makes them more susceptible to adverse conditions.

Understanding the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species is crucial. This tool monitors the health of numerous species and helps scientists assess threats like climate change. When species are classified as “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered,” it’s a serious warning for conservation efforts.

Recent extreme climate events provide evidence of this vulnerability. For example, a drastic temperature rise led to a 90% decline in mollusks off Israel’s coast. During the 2021 heat dome in the Pacific Northwest, billions of intertidal mussels and clams perished within days.

Ripple emphasizes that these mass mortality events significantly disrupt ecosystems. “Such losses affect carbon cycles and nutrient distribution,” he explained.

However, the scope of this crisis is likely much larger than we realize. According to Ripple, 66 out of 101 animal classes have yet to be evaluated for climate risk by the IUCN. The 70,814 species analyzed represent just a tiny fraction of all known animals.

Ripple advocates for creating a global database to track mass animal mortality due to climate change. This database would not only address current data gaps but would also facilitate better understanding of which species are most at risk. He urges that climate and conservation policies be combined effectively to protect biodiversity.

The urgency is clear. With global temperatures nearing the 1.5°C threshold, every moment counts. The decisions made now will shape the future of countless species, determining how many remain in the endangered category and how many might follow.

The findings are detailed in the journal BioScience.

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