Endangered Species Day Is May 21

We are, according to most scientists, living through the sixth time when many species are rapidly going extinct. The last such extinction era was when the dinosaurs disappeared from the earth.

Author, Elizabeth Kolbert, in her book, "The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History," (2016) warns that climate change is one big factor in speeding up the rate of extinctions of living things. She also pointed out that people often forget that all species are part of a complex ecology that permits them to live and thrive. The changing climate has forced species to be on the move as they try to find habitat or conditions that allow them to survive.

Life cycles of plants and animals are unusual, which throws the ecology off-balance. Droughts, flooding, extreme storms and extreme wildfires make survival difficult, causing populations to decrease. Overhunting, overfishing, poaching and loss of habitat due to human expansion also are part of the problem.

In her latest book, "Under A White Sky: The Nature of the Future," Kolbert continues to warn of the danger of extinction, but tempers the dire predictions with numerous examples of what is being done now and what can be done to mitigate the issue – if we summon the will to do the work. It remains a matter of leaving our children a future that has promise or one that has gone beyond the “tipping point."

Everyone should become engaged in the process of protecting the species that are on the verge of extinction. We can do some practical things as we celebrate Endangered Species Day. We can become aware of the species that are on the list as endangered or threatened in our own area as well as the iconic animal known by most: the polar bear. We can follow carefully and purposefully the advice to reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. Even while we are reducing our purchasing of unnecessary things, we should be aware of their sustainability qualities. We can say no to plastic products and harmful chemicals and pesticides. We can shrink our carbon footprint and conserve water. We can donate to entities that protect animals and plants and their habitats, we can practice stewardship in our yards and gardens and add native plants. We can volunteer to help clean-up efforts, or at nature centers or parks. We can also be an advocate for right policies and vote for willing politicians who will promote climate change solutions and climate change mitigation efforts.

Earth steward action: What animals and plants are endangered in Kansas? Find out and share one thing to do about the issue.

SOURCES: https://ballotpedia.org/Endangered_species_in_Kansas , https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/arts-culture/549013-author-of-the-sixth-extinction-says-earth-is-on, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/climate-change-and-the-sixth-mass-extinction_b_58136094e4b09b190529c379