Technology and nature coexist about as well as cats and dogs living together. After all, even the manufacture of our everyday electronics consumes staggering amounts of energy and natural resources while burning fossil fuels and generating tremendous volumes of waste and toxins. Never mind that each new human advancement seems to further encroach on the dwindling habitats of most animals.
So, it’s a welcome development to see that the theme of this year’s World Wildlife Day, observed annually March 3, pertains to digital innovation and how conservation technologies can fuel wildlife conservation efforts — all in an effort to create a sustainable human-wildlife coexistence.
How so? Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence and tracking systems, conservationists are now able to monitor and safeguard wildlife and global biodiversity with unprecedented speed and efficiency.
That alone should generate cause for hope — and be reason enough to celebrate World Wildlife Day. Ahead of the event, let’s explore some facts about wildlife while also detailing how you can get involved and make a difference for the sake of the planet and all its abundant species.
Why World Wildlife Day matters
Approximately one million plant and animal species are facing extinction due to human activities, according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). World Wildlife Day emphasizes the urgency of protecting and preserving our planet’s wildlife and reversing endangerment.
Raising awareness and organizing committees to combat the threats facing wildlife, United Nations World Wildlife Day aims to inspire individuals, communities, and governments to take meaningful action toward a sustainable future for all lifeforms.
What you can do to support World Wildlife Day
Support a happy and healthier future for all with these ways to show your support on World Wildlife Day 2024:
Practice sustainable living: Give yourself and your lifestyle a little sustainability assessment. Are the products you use environmentally friendly? Have you switched to reusable shopping bags? Are you still using harmful laundry detergent or have you switched to an eco-friendly alternative that is just as effective? Discover some sustainable living swaps to get started.
Raise awareness: Spread the word about endangered species and the importance of their survival. If people don’t know something’s wrong, they won’t know how to act.
Donate or volunteer with conservation efforts: Whether it’s time or money, conservation organizations need your help. Every small action supports the greater cause.
Cut your carbon emissions: Small actions can have a great impact on lowering your carbon emissions. Hop on a bike instead of driving, consider a longer drive over a short flight, and shop locally to keep your CO2 levels lower.
Facts about wildlife for World Wildlife Day
When it comes to raising your voice about our planet’s wildlife, here are some fun facts to help spread the word:
- The Amazon Rainforest is often called the "Lungs of the Earth” as it “breathes in” a significant amount of C02 before releasing fresh oxygen. It’s home to an estimated 10% of all known species.
- Coral reefs can be called the “Rainforests of the Sea,” and they are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet, providing habitat for countless marine species.
- The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is the largest coral reef system in the world, spanning more than 2,300 kilometers (about half the width of the US).
- The African Savannah elephant is the largest land animal on Earth, with males reaching heights of up to 13 feet and weighing as much as 14,000 pounds (about twice the weight of the average elephant).
- Approximately one million plant and animal species are currently facing extinction due to human activities.
- Polar bears are excellent swimmers and can swim for long distances in search of food. They have been recorded swimming up to 100 kilometers (about 62.14 mi) without rest.
- Bees play a crucial role in pollinating many of the world’s food crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without bees, global food production would be severely impacted.
- Tigers are the largest members of the cat family and are known for their distinctive orange fur with black stripes. Sadly, they are also one of the world’s most endangered species, with fewer than 4,000 remaining in the wild.
- The monarch butterfly is known for its impressive annual migration that spans thousands of miles from Canada and the US to Mexico. Millions of monarch butterflies congregate in the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico each winter.
- The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and contains an estimated 80% of all life on the planet. As such, it plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate and supporting marine ecosystems. Many of its inhabitants (like plankton) even have the power to consume CO2 from the atmosphere.
This World Wildlife Day, let us celebrate the beauty and diversity of the great natural world and recognize the urgent need to protect and conserve wildlife and their habitats. If we work together, we have the power to implement a better future for generations to come — one where wildlife and humanity can sustainably coexist.