"Take a moment to cherish your plants and appreciate the animals you see around you. In 50 years, a third of them may no longer exist." That's how
CNN begins a worrying article about the repercussions of a warming planet. If the world fails to act fast, entire species of plants and animals will disappear.
Sign now to ask signatory countries to adhere to the Paris Climate Agreement (PCA) and urge the U.S. to rejoin the vital treaty. A recently released survey studied the survival chances of more than 500 animals from nearly 600 sites around the world, and suggested some dire consequences if nations don't act to reign in global carbon emissions.
By 2070, around 33% of worldwide plant and animal life could disappear. That's the "good" news. The study also warns that if emissions continue unabated as they have for the last few decades, the species extinction rate could jump to 55%. Tragically, scientists don't think we can avoid this scenario altogether, but there are ways to decrease the number of species that are likely to be affected. According to a study performed by researchers from the University of Arizona, if governments adhere to the guidelines they set out for themselves in the PCA, the number of plant and animal species that go extinct could be cut to just 16%.
The PCA was a landmark global accord between 195 nations to mitigate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But while scientists say there is hope to do just that, currently, not one major country is on track to fulfill their promises.
Countries like Peru, DR Congo, and Indonesia have yet to stop destroying their forests, Brazil's president expresses open disdain for the PCA, and President Trump has already initiated the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement altogether.The world population needs to reduce emissions to halt climate change soon, or plants and animals worldwide will disappear. But it's our governments that have the power to do so through leadership and policy.
Sign now and tell the U.S. to re-enter the Paris Agreement and those countries that have signed to uphold their end of the bargain!