If you are like most people, you probably rarely think about endangered species. In today’s hectic world, it is easy to be consumed with busyness and the concerns of your personal life. However, it is important to remember that humans share this world with millions of fascinating plants and animals, some of which are in danger of becoming extinct. You may wonder what you could possibly do to help, so these are a few ideas.
Seek Out Knowledge
Your first step should be to learn more about the plants and animals in and outside your area that face extinction. A great resource is a local rescue or sanctuary, e.g., animal sanctuary Smith County. Zoos and national parks are also great resources for learning about local animals and plants. Pay attention to their desired or necessary habitats.
Make Conscious Purchases
Of course, you should avoid purchasing any product made with an endangered plant or animal. For example, just a few decades ago people were buying products made from ivory, which was causing the extinction of the elephant population. When the public learned what was going on, they stopped purchasing ivory products, reducing the demand for the elephants’ valuable tusks. Therefore, read your products’ contents to ensure they are not made with any endangered plants or animals.
You should also consider buying sustainable products, such as glass, recycled paper or bamboo. The resources used to make these products can be reproduced easily. Also, avoid buying things that threaten the habitats of endangered species. For example, palm plantations are taking over tiger habitats so that palm oil production can be expanded.
Recycle
Every time you recycle a product or packaging, you keep waste products out of landfills, rivers and oceans. You also reduce the use of valuable, scarce natural resources. For example, cell phones are made with minerals that are found in natural gorilla habitats, so when you recycle, the need to mine these minerals is reduced. In addition, some items, such as those made from glass and metal, are 100% recyclable, so no waste is produced when new products are made.
Visit a wildlife sanctuary or rescue to learn about the little things you can do in your daily life to promote the survival of endangered species.
