The biodiversity crisis

Today's homework is to read this article on the extinction crisis, but honestly, I won't be mad if you don't read it. I don't know that extra facts about doom are going to make you more motivated to do something about it. If you find that the facts below are enough to ground you in how big of a problem biodiversity loss is, then skip to our listen module.

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Here's some tidbits to illustrate the scope of the biodiversity crisis caused by climate change (caused by us):

1. Scientists predict that more than 1 million species are on track for extinction in the coming decades. 😵
   
2. When we lose species of living things, the loss can be irreversibly damaging on a local level for our community's resilience. (And I've lived through wildfires in California firsthand so the damage really hits home here.)
   
3. Scientists estimate that over 1/3rd of amphibians are at risk of extinction.
   
4. Of the plant species the IUCN (The International for Conservation of Nature) studied, 68% of plants evaluated are facing extinction threats. If that sample reflects reality, this means a MAJORITY of what gives us air, food, and medicine will be gone. Not to mention those cute houseplants you're addicted to buying.
   
5. The IUCN estimates that half the globe's known mammals are declining in population and ~20% of known mammals are clearly at risk of disappearing forever! Yahoo! That's us!

If you feel scared or sad, that's absolutely how you should be feeling. It's scary. It's sad. But it's not irreversible yet. We have to stop pretending that our temporary conveniences are worth killing 1 million species. I'd rather live without toilet paper than, uh, die on an unlivable planet, and we can tackle this together.

Dead. The elephant in the room is officially dead. Awkward AF.

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Take 3 minutes to watch this video featuring Fiesta Warinwa, a leader from the African Wildlife Foundation. The situation in Kenya (and around the African continent... and around the world) is pretty dire.

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If you skimmed and decided "you'll watch it later", have no fear; lowlights are here:

• There is a direct relationship between poaching and climate change.
  Illegal trading and killing of animals like elephants is increasing with resource scarcity. Some farmers and livestock owners are coping with this by illegally poaching animals — for example, ivory is a rare commodity, and elephants are being poached for their tusks.
  
• Elephants in Africa can be gone before the end of your life.
  This isn't thousands of years or even a hundred away.
  
• Close your eyes. Guess what? 100 elephants just died.
  Seriously, this vid was published in 2016, when Fiesta estimates 30,000 - 35,000 elephants die each year. It's not a long shot to estimate that 100 elephants die each day. Many other sources on the internet project that elephants can go extinct this decade.

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I'm going to stop now because this is super depressing, but remember, we are ALL part of the solution. So forget those dead elephants (sorry I made you do that). Close your eyes and imagine the most beautiful nature you've ever been in.

Keep em closed...

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Now THIS is what we're fighting for. Next, let's preserve your beautiful landscape together through actions we can all take.

It's time for joy! We did a lot of doom-and-gloom earlier, which I usually stay away from, but we need to get real about the challenge.

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Now, let's act!

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1. Download the iNaturalist app.
   
   You may remember this from last month. The best way to start caring about our plant and animals neighbors are to know their names!! Isn't it weird that many of us don't even know what to call the trees outside our windows? They don't have to be elephants to matter. Download the iNaturalist app, which can help you identify nature in your area. If you're not an app person, just spend some time with a new plant neighbor.
   
   
2. Make a sustainable New Years Resolution.
   
   The individual actions that make the most significant difference to climate change are cutting out flights, cars, and meat. If you're in the United States, use Joro, a free app that helps you slash your carbon footprint. Please shoot me your fave recs in other countries — I haven't yet found a good one.
   
3. Watch a TV show.
   
   Here's your plan to fill the time you're spending with your family this December: watch Blue Planet. There's 8 episodes, all slightly under an hour, and each will take you on a vibrant exploration of the marine world. The show is beautiful, and also a haunting fight for survival. (Also I won't snitch if you bring mystical plants along with you on your TV watching journey.)

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Biiiig sigh of relief for these fun actions, right? Have a good time out in nature and then, behind your TV!

Before we go any further, it's time for you to pledge your commitment. It takes less than 30 seconds to pledge and we can bother you about it in a friendly way, so we can hold each other accountable. Pledge here!

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🎯 Action step 4 of 4: REFLECT — what can you commit to? What fresh perspectives can we look at?

This reflect module is short and sweet.

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You'll be going on a virtual art walk!

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This exhibition, Seedscapes, showcases plant diversity and how we can save plants from extinction. It combines the work of artists, biologists, and ecologists. My favorite of the five exhibits is Liz Orton's photographs of seeds from a century ago!

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Here's the link!

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It's so inspiring to be in community with people who care about nature in all its forms. Here's to building a brighter, happier world!

‍🏁 Checkpoint: This is the end of action step 4 of 4: REFLECT.

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Check out our membership community for more resources like free weekly events with social justice experts, sustainable product discounts, pre-written email templates, a social impact job board, and in-person hangouts with new friends. Thanks for taking action with Soapbox Project!