November 24, 2006

Global Warming Warning

Scientists say the effects of global warming are causing species to disappear quicker than originally thought

Polar bears, like this one, are suffering because of global warming.

By Jill Egan

Global warming is causing hundreds of species to die off or change more quickly than scientists predicted, a new study shows.

Scientists are surprised at how fast the events are happening. ''I feel as though we are staring crisis in the face,'' said Douglas Futuyma, a professor at the State University of New York in Stony Brook. ''It's not just down the road somewhere. It is just hurtling toward us.''

Extinction Evidence

At least 70 species of frogs have become extinct because of climate change, according to a new study in the scientific journal Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. The study also reports that between 100 and 200 cold-dependent animal species, such as penguins and polar bears, are in serious danger.

''We are finally seeing species going extinct,'' said University of Texas biologist Camille Parmesan, author of the study. ''Now we've got the evidence. It's here. It's real.''

Parmesan looked at 866 studies and saw trends of animal populations moving north to cooler climates. She also saw species adapting because of climate change, plants blooming earlier than usual and an increase in pests and parasites.

Parmesan said she worries most about cold-weather species. Emperor penguins have dropped from 300 breeding pairs to just nine in the western Antarctic Peninsula. Polar bears are dropping in numbers and weight in the Arctic.

Populations of animals that adapt better to warmth or can move and live farther north are managing better than other populations in the same species, she said.

Conference on Climate

Last week, leaders from more than 180 nations met in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss global warming at the United Nations’ climate conference. The leaders agreed on next steps to cut global warming gases.

Leaders agreed to take a new look at the Kyoto Protocol, an energy agreement, by 2008. The goal will be to set new rules on the release of carbon dioxide and other gases after Kyoto expires in 2012.

Germany's Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said the timeline set at the meeting is too long. ''Urgent action is necessary,'' he said.

Back to all headlines