Take Action for the Animals & Help Us Protect the Amazing Plants & Animals of Earth

Orangutan (orang-utan) in his natural environment in the rainforest on Borneo (Kalimantan) island with trees and palms behind.

The world's wildlife is in decline, they need our help! Learn how you can help protect the amazing plants, animals, and incredible biodiversity of Earth.

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Why Is Animal Loss Such a Big Deal

Since the 1970’s when we first began monitoring wildlife populations, there has been a 69% decrease in wild animals.

Why is this so important to us? Is it really so bad that there are a few fewer Bears invading campsites and a few fewer Jaguars carrying off babies? (Oh wait, that’s the Jungle Book!)

The earth and all its living creatures exist in harmony. That harmony makes human life possible!

Let’s look at how wildlife impacts us all.

Salmon provide food to millions of people, bears, birds, seals, otters, whales, eagles, and more. But if the water gets too warm or their habitats are compromised they can’t spawn. This has a domino effect on 135 other species that benefit directly from Salmon in a variety of ways.

While you may not enjoy bird droppings on your car, those little gifts deposit the seeds of fruit and berries and fuel the growth of new plants. Those new plants provide homes to birds, spiders, bees, and other insects. The birds also eat spiders and spiders eat mosquitos that carry deadly diseases such as Zika & West Nile Virus.

There are 5 main factors contributing to animal and biodiversity loss:

Sea & Land Use

Overfishing, overfarming, overharvesting, mining, and fracking all destroy animal habitats and ecosystems leaving them with nowhere to go and no food to eat.

Animal Exploitation

Hunting, poaching, logging, clearing land for crop production, and expanding cities into animal habitats.

Climate Change

Animals are forced to move to places they can’t survive due to warmer temperatures or rising sea levels, their food is dying out or disappearing, fires are destroying their habitats, and more.

Pollution

Almost every species of marine life has eaten or been tangled in plastic.

Invasive Species

Native species are dying out due to invasive species that consume their water, sunlight, and other resources.

What You Can Do to Help Wildlife Right Now

Purchases & Habits

Shop products that are certified Fair Trade to ensure their sourcing doesn’t harm wildlife.
Don’t buy products that are illegally poached or traded.
Eat local! Shop for meat and vegetables from local farmers.
Refuse products that contain palm oil which is contributing to deforestation and the decline of orangutans.
Create less waste with sustainable swaps.
Use less energy overall and use more renewable energy.

ZeroWasteStore essential sustainable swaps for the home

A rendering of a wildlife bridge crossing over U.S. Highway 101 in Agoura Hills, Calif., that will connect the Santa Monica Mountains to the Simi Hills.

Policies & Advocation

Ask your representatives for policies on illegal logging, fishing, and hunting.
Advocate for policies that protect animals and their habitats such as wildlife overpasses and bird-friendly skyscrapers.
Boycott and call out brands that test on animals.

In Your Backyard

Start a pollinator garden to keep pollinators such as birds, bats, and bees safe.
Start or combine your pollinator garden with a native garden focused on growing plants native to your area.
Start or join a community garden with native vegetables and plants.
Beware of planting or transporting invasive plants, seeds, and insects.

Raised garden beds full of leafy green vegetables in a community garden

Travel & Entertainment That Benefits Wildlife

Plan a visit to a local wildlife refuge. Learn about the animals and support the conservation organization.
Help your local zoo or aquarium by donating your time or money.
Pick up after yourself. When camping or spending time outside, collect and properly dispose of all your garbage. Leave the site cleaner than you found it!
Donate your time to local organizations preserving wildlife.

Learn More About the Decline of Wildlife

Books

Check out your local bookstore for the following:

The Sixth Extinction, by Elizabeth Kolbert
Rebirding: Restoring Britain’s Wildlife, by Benedict Macdonald
This is Not a Drill, by Extinction Rebellion
Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson (the one that started it all)
Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel, by Carl Safina
Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life, by Edward O. Wilson

Movies

Podcasts

WWF, Nature Breaking, Ep: Managing Human-Wildlife Conflict (Listen on Spotify)
All Creatures Podcast, Ep. 261: Conservation Scientist & Advocate Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant (Listen on Spotify)
The Common Descent Podcast, Ep. 1: Paleontology (Listen on Spotify)