http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7571229.stm
“French birds are moving northwards in response to climate change, but not fast enough, scientists have found…The result is desynchronisation. If birds and the insects on which they depend do not react in the same way, we are headed for an upheaval in the interaction between species…At its worst, this desynchronisation could result in species extinctions…On average, bird populations moved 91km northward between 1989 and 2006...birds are lagging some 182km behind the increases in temperature”
And it’s the same in the UK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7561497.stm
“A number of UK bird species are laying eggs significantly earlier than they were 40 years ago, a report reveals. A conservation coalition's report says some finches, robins and tits are all laying earlier and puts this down to warming caused by climate change…This year's report shows that climate change is with us already; and from our gardens to our seas, birds are having to respond rapidly to climate change simply to survive”
If you are one of the few remaining people who deny that Global Warming is happening, how do you explain this away?
This is bad news, but it is just one of many effects that Climate Change is already causing. It’s not just birds but mammals, insects and plants too, and all over Earth. And it isn’t just living things, it’s entire ecosystems. Co-ordinated global action is needed, and quickly. So as an individual what can you do? Three things:
1. Change your own lifestyle
Walk and cycle more, drive less, try and avoid flying, use energy-saving light bulbs, insulate your house and turn your heating down, only boil the water you need, not a kettle-full, re-use plastic bags etc. etc. There are many little things you can do. Not only are these things beneficial, you will save money as well!
2. Try to persuade people to change their lifestyles
If you talk to your friends and family and local businesses, perhaps some of them will think about these things. It’s surprising how many people do nothing because they trust the government to do the right things for them.
3. Tell your political representatives locally, nationally and internationally that Climate Change is important to you
If you don’t, they won’t know that votes depend on it. Many politicians only care about winning the next election.
Cheers, Tom.