Every time we post a picture of an endangered animal or some type of conservation effort, comments like “Why don’t they just adapt?” inevitably pop up. On some levels, it seems like a fair question, but a recent study brings new insight to the situation. They don’t adapt because, according to this study, they can’t. There isn’t enough time. They can’t force themselves to undergo the changes necessary for survival in a changing climate, and some animals lack the required genetic diversity altogether. This study examined over 500 different species in 17 different groups of animals. An unrelated recent report has concluded that 97% of climatologists agree that climate change is happening, and that humans are a large contributing factor. More info: bit.ly/163zEjZ Photo via: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 14:55:33 +0000