Extinction of many animals a reality

A report commissioned by the British government has found that climate change could lead to the extinction of many animals, including migratory birds and other animals, like fish and turtles, whose migration routes have already changed in response to warming that has already taken place.

While many species have been able to adapt to new conditions simply by moving their ranges further towards the poles, the study warns that this option is not available to other animals, such as polar bears and seals whose habitat is disappearing rapidly with the melting of the Arctic sea ice.

"Our changing climate is already affecting a wide range of migratory species," said Humphrey Crick from the British Trust for Ornithology, one of the report's authors.

Nature has always had to adapt to changing climate conditions. Indeed, it is one of the driving forces behind the process of evolution which has produced the staggering variety of life on Earth.

But the fear is that the changes currently under way are simply too rapid for species to evolve new strategies for survival.

Their options are also being narrowed by the rapid conversion of ecosystems such as the draining of wetlands, felling of forests and development of coastlines - so if their existing habitats are hit by global warming, there is literally no place to go.

The whole approach to conservation may have to be radically changed - the most perfectly-protected nature reserve could end up being of little use if the animals breeding there face starvation because they have nowhere to migrate.

You know how it's good for kids to have pets when they grow up, in order to teach them to respect and love animals? Do you think if we gave Bush a bear cub he'd start caring about their plight a little more?