Our AI writing assistant, WriteUp, can assist you in easily writing any text. Click here to experience its capabilities.

Why elephants, otters and whales are nature’s secret weapons against climate breakdown

View Original View Raw

Summary

This article looks at how animals like elephants, otters and whales can help to store carbon in their respective ecosystems, and why protecting them is essential for climate breakdown. New research shows that these species can cause anywhere between 15-250% difference in how much carbon is stored in a given ecosystem, and that we should prioritize nature-based solutions when it comes to tackling climate change. Conservation work is also key to helping wildlife and people co-exist, and nature can help mitigate the impact of extreme weather in urban areas. In order to save ourselves, we need to do better at protecting wild animals.

Q&As

What do elephants, otters, and whales have in common?
Elephants, otters, and whales all increase the amount of carbon that can be stored in their ecosystems.

How can animals increase the amount of carbon stored in their ecosystems?
Animals can increase the amount of carbon stored in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds, eating sea urchins, feeding at depth, and trampling low vegetation.

What are the implications of understanding the role that animals can play in capturing carbon?
The implications of understanding the role that animals can play in capturing carbon is that it is important to protect them and avoid quick and simple fixes of plant monocultures to sequester carbon.

What is the current focus for nature-based solutions to tackle climate breakdown?
The current focus for nature-based solutions to tackle climate breakdown is on restoring mangroves, kelp, and seagrasses.

How can conservation help mitigate the impact of extreme weather on urban areas?
Conservation can help mitigate the impact of extreme weather on urban areas by protecting habitats, aligning interests with local communities, and recreating conditions for animal populations to return at scale.

AI Comments

👍 The article does an excellent job of showcasing the vital role of wildlife in the mitigation of climate change. It also highlights the importance of conservation and the need for communities to work together to protect wild animals.

👎 The article fails to address the many other ways in which humans can reduce their carbon emissions, instead focusing solely on the role of wildlife in carbon sequestration.

AI Discussion

Me: It talks about how species like elephants, otters, and whales can increase the amount of carbon stored in their ecosystems, which can ultimately affect climate change. It also makes the case that protecting these species is vital to help mitigate the effects of climate breakdown.

Friend: That's really interesting. What are the implications of this article?

Me: Well, it highlights the importance of conservation in order to protect these species and their ecosystems. It also suggests that we should be looking more to nature-based solutions to combat climate change, rather than relying solely on technology. The article also suggests that we should be more respectful of nature's solutions and avoid quick fixes with monoculture plants. Finally, it emphasizes that we need to create conditions for animal populations to restore at scale, which means protecting habitats and working with local communities to reduce conflicts with wildlife.

Action items

Research ways to reduce conflict between humans and wildlife in order to help them co-exist.
Learn more about the role of animals in helping nature capture carbon and how to protect them.
Investigate how nature-based solutions can be used to mitigate the impact of extreme weather in urban areas.

Technical terms

Greenhouse gas emissions: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Phytoplankton: Microscopic organisms that live in the ocean and use photosynthesis to produce energy.
Biomass: The total mass of living organisms in a given area.
Mangroves: Trees and shrubs that grow in coastal areas and are adapted to saltwater.
Kelp: Large, brown seaweed that grows in cold, shallow waters.
Seagrasses: Submerged aquatic plants that grow in shallow, salty waters.
Permafrost: Permanently frozen soil found in polar regions.
Monocultures: Areas of land that are planted with a single crop or species.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS): A process of capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in underground reservoirs.