Archived press release

Wildlife shows global climate change is real

22 September 1997

Climate change is affecting wildlife populations around the globe, a meeting of international experts in Boulder, Colorado, has revealed [1].

The Golden and Harlequin Toads have become locally extinct in rainforest in Costa Rica because of decreased rainfall [2]. Other effects of climate change include the retreat of Toucan populations in Costa Rica to higher elevations [3], and sharp declines in the numbers of the Adelie Penguin in Antarctica because of a reduction in pack ice [4].

In the UK, twenty bird species, including the redstart, dipper and wren, have been observed to nest an average of nine days earlier [5].

The conference, which concludes today, is drawing together data on wildlife populations and behaviour from around the globe. The results reveal that wildlife in several continents is being affected, and is acting as an early warning that climate change is happening. The results of the conference will be used to influence the climate change negotiations in Kyoto in December [6].

Dr Frances MacGuire of Friends of the Earth, who is attending the meeting, said:

" Like the canary used by miners to indicate danger underground, mounting evidence shows that wildlife is acting as an early warning of changes in the earth's climate. Governments must take note, and act to avoid a global catastrophe by setting tough targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when they meet at the climate change negotiations in Kyoto in December."

Friends of the Earth, in support of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) is calling for targets of 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2005.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] The Climate Change and Wildlife Conference is being held at the National Centre for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, 19-22 September, organised by BirdLIfe International and the Worldwide Fund for Nature.

[2] Climate change is believed to have caused a disastrous population crash of amphibians in Costa Rica, with no less than 40% of frog and toad species in a study area of 30 km2 becoming extinct in the past 10 years.

[3] The same study found that populations of several birds, including the Keel-billed Toucan and the Blue-crowned Mot-mot, had moved to higher elevations. This is attributed to changes in rainfall and temperature.

[4] Warmer weather has led to a decrease in the frequency of very cold winters when heavy sea-ice occurs, leading to a decrease in the numbers of Adelie Penguins.

[5] In a study of breeding birds over 25 years, the laying dates for 20 species were found to be an average of nine days earlier over the period.

[6] The Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change si meeting in Kyoto in December 1997 to discuss setting targets for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust