Protecting wildlife species “SHOULD” be our human global responsibility

Today, another force is driving Earth towards its next extinction event. Human-driven changes to the planet are hitting global species on multiple fronts, as hotter oceans, deforestation, and climate change drive floral and faunal populations to extinction in unprecedented numbers.

As we continue to encroach on animals' habitats, pollute their ecosystems, and drive the Earth towards warmer and warmer temperatures, we're stubbornly marching away from a version of the world that we will never be able to get back.

Biodiversity losses won't be replaced for millions of years, and so when you imagine extinctions in coral reef ecosystems, or rain forest ecosystems, or grasslands, wildlife species or wherever, those places are going to be less diverse essentially forever, as far as humans are concerned but we still have less time left to protect our biodiversity.

As much as half of the total number of animal individuals that once shared the Earth with humans are already gone, a clear sign that we're on the brink, if not in the midst of, a sixth mass extinction.

Each organism on this earth has a role to play in the ecosystem but sadly many of the world’s animals are gradually crowding up the endangered list due to habitat loss, illegal poaching, hunting, and so on.

There is growing global awareness of the crises facing our planet’s biodiversity, including poaching and habitat loss. Where conservation has been successful, efforts are often structured around effectively managed protected areas. However, far too many protected areas lack adequate capacity for enforcement and adaptive management.

Together with the wildlife authorities, exploiting companies need to design a code of conduct to eradicate illegal hunting. This is critical, particularly for the survival of the last remaining wildlife species, while more resources and enforcement is required to prevent elephant poaching for ivory.

Governments should foster trust between people and their armed forces by ensuring that discipline is maintained, and by responding swiftly to any reported abuse , Armed forces should set an example of biodiversity conservation to local communities and penalties on harvesting wildlife should be strictly enforced .

Increased awareness of the plight of wildlife, its role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and the immorality of driving another species to extinction, must surely be a prerequisite to action. Therefore, as a first step, we must seek to raise awareness, increase knowledge, shift attitudes, and build compassion for wildlife.

Appropriate policy instruments that incentivize conservation and sustainable use of natural resources are urgently needed along with raising awareness and pride within communities of the value and uniqueness of wildlife.

Shrinking habitat, exploitation of natural resources, climate change and pollution are the main drivers of species loss and are threatening more than 40% of our wildlife habitat globally.

Biodiversity underpins ecosystem services such as pollination, flood prevention, water and air purification, and soil conservation. We are in danger of losing vital ecosystem services which will have major negative consequences for human civilization.

Protecting the forests, preventing desertification and conserving biodiversity are crucial goals, by simply doing so; we are helping wildlife and ecosystems to thrive. It is no longer enough for governments and businesses just to think of the environmental effects arising from their operations.

As we already know, trees and their roots have a significant role in binding the soil together and preventing the process of desertification or soil erosion, It is also the source of almost every ecosystem, serving as home, place of protection and food source for most animal species, and even us humans.

Business as usual cannot continue, we must all join a socially responsible business with the goal of creating a more sustainable future for our wildlife species.

Financial penalties on extractive industries that do not respect conservation guidelines need to be enforced. Such steps need to be taken now, before the unique and iconic biodiversity of the world's largest desert is lost.

Finally, poaching is a threat not only for our wildlife species, but for the whole global community, protecting the world wildlife and the global environment is essential, and to avoid the extinction of some species we must act now.

We urgently need accountable and visionary governments and businesses that work in the best interest of societies and promote sustainable and equitable uses of natural resources, while fostering the recovery of threatened species.