Climate Change and Extinction: What the Facts Really Say

Challenging the Narrative

Climate change has long been a contentious issue, with many asserting that it is driving animals and plants to extinction at an unprecedented rate. However, a new report from the UK Royal Society challenges this notion. It reveals that extinction rates have not significantly increased over the past 200 years. In fact, for bugs and plants, extinction rates have decreased in the last century.

Key Findings

• Data Analysis: The report examines extensive data, showing that most extinctions occur on islands, often due to invasive species rather than climate change.
• Habitat Loss: A major contributor to extinction, though not always directly tied to climate change.
• IUCN Red List Insights:
• Turtles and mollusks have the highest extinction rates.
• Freshwater fish are more at risk than marine fish, with dams (e.g., those on Alabama's Coosa River) being a significant factor.

Controversial Environmental Practices

• Wind Turbines: Known to kill bats and birds.
• EV Batteries: Rainforests are being destroyed for their production.
• COP Conference Irony: In Brazil, 100,000 rainforest trees were cut down for a conference about preserving the rainforest.

Skepticism in Climate Science

• Political Agendas: Some use environmentalism to push for more control, linking fossil fuels to climate change.
• True Environmentalism: Focuses on habitat loss reduction, nature protection, and waste management.
• Questioning the Narrative: When claims of mass extinctions are made, the report suggests asking, "Where are the bodies?"