There are many threats to animals that are occurring in our world. Many include habitat loss, poaching, and pollution. However, the biggest threat in our world is climate change. Climate change happens when many greenhouse gases go into the atmosphere, which creates a barrier that traps heat which would otherwise escape Earth’s atmosphere. This makes Earth’s temperature extremely warm, which can be bad for certain species of animals and as well as people. It is also bad for animals because some animals thrive in cold climates while others thrive in a stable environment. Thankfully, there are ways to stop this from happening and help Earth return to a stable temperature.

Climate change is caused by global warming, which is the long- term event of Earth warming up. It is very harmful for animals that live in the polar regions and the oceans. For the animals in polar regions, their habitats are shrinking due to sea ice melting in the Arctic. Polar bears rely on the sea ice to hunt seals while walruses rely on them for resting. Polar bears’ habitats are also decreasing due to melting ice, leading them to come close to people or grizzly bears. Coming into contact with people can be fatal to both the bears and people. Also, since polar bears are coming into grizzly bear territory to the south, they are often breeding with grizzly bears and creating hybrids called grolar bears. There are also many effects on other oceanic inhabitants. Coral bleaching happens as a result of climate change. That’s when coral loses its color and turns white. It often happens in mass and can decimate entire coral reefs. This is harmful to many organisms as many ocean animals depend on coral reefs for shelter, food, and a place to live.

Animals around the world are also affected. As temperatures rise, algae is appearing in water bodies such as the oceans and rivers. That’s what caused the death of 350 elephants in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. In May and June of 2020, 350 elephants died and scientists saw that they drank water that was contaminated with algae. Moose populations in North America are decreasing due to tick infestations. As temperatures get warmer, parasites like ticks are more likely to survive. Moose are prone to parasites and many die out due to them. It’s not only those animals that are affected by climate change. It will also affect humans. As the temperature rises and sea ice melts, the sea level will rise. That can lead to many coastal cities getting flooded. It will also change weather patterns and make natural disasters more extreme. Droughts are getting more intense, long-lasting, and frequent due to warmer temperatures. This leads to many people and animals going without water for days before finally dying of dehydration. Tornadoes and other natural disasters like hurricanes will get stronger and therefore, can cause more damage than in the previous years. With climate change going on, we will also encounter another mass extinction in the near future.

Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help fight climate change. Here are some: 1. Eat more food that is made from plants and not livestock: Many livestock accounts for many heat-trapping emissions. Cows mostly let out methane. Eating more vegetables and fruits helps cut down on the need for so many livestock. 2. If you see a business or any other building with its door open in the summer, email or talk to an employee about closing it. An air-conditioned building with its door open lets out 2.2 tons of carbon dioxide over the summer. 3. Drive your car less. Instead of driving a car, walk or bike somewhere or take public transportation in order to get from one place to another. This saves 330 pounds of carbon dioxide which is the same as planting four trees and letting them grow for 10 years. 4. Lastly, you could send a letter, email, or a postcard to your mayor, council representative, or the president and ask them to do something about climate change.