A subspecies of rhino native to Southeast Asia has been wiped out. There are now just 50 members of its parent species, the Javan rhino, left in the world. It’s a reminder that the danger in endangered is real, and we can’t just sit back and hope conservationists can keep human beings from annihilating Earth’s biodiversity.

Which reminds me: Stop eating tuna. Since 1970, as much as 80 percent of adult Atlantic bluefin tuna have been wiped out. But the U.S., Japan and other countries continually deny that the fish is endangered because people like eating sushi. Don’t be selfish. Leave your grandchildren some tuna.

While you’re at it, leave them some polar bears. The world’s largest land predator is listed as threatened because global warming has shriveled Arctic sea ice, making it more difficult for the creatures to move about and find food. Some people who think that’s a bad thing want the government to use the Endangered Species Act to control the emissions that heat up the planet, melt the ice and kill the polar bears. A federal judge ruled last week that federal officials did not have to do that.

It’s OK. Some conservationist will probably get around to saving the bear … with magic! — PZS

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#animal#climate#climate change#climate crisis#endangered species#environment#fish#global warming#japan#nature#polar bear#science#tuna#united states