The Audubon Society has just released the results of an analysis of its annual Christmas Bird Count plus the Breeding Bird Survey. Their findings indicate that the populations of 20 previously common bird species have, on average, declined by 50 percent over the last 40 years.
Birds like the shrike, the field sparrow, and even the grackle are seen far less often now than they were in the past. The specific reasons are different for each species, but include global warming, habitat destruction, insect outbreaks, and the increased number of forest fires that are occuring with the acceleration of climate change.
These birds are like canaries in a mineshaft. Their decline warns us that the Earth is growing less able to support animal life. We humans are animals too, so this trend ought to concern us very much.
For decades, right wing politicians inspired by an industrial ideology have done whatever they could to obstruct solutions to the ecological problems that we face along with the birds that used to be common in our backyards. Progressive activists, on the other hand, have been calling for responsible action to confront the impoverishment of life on Earth before it’s too late.
Look to the skies and listen to the birds. Vote to elect a progressive President in 2008.
(Source: National Audubon Society, Common Birds In Decline, June 2007)
You never see a shrike anyhow. You know they impale insects on barb wire fences–like putting leftovers in the fridge to come back to it later–eewww what a habit. I personally would not miss grackles. But okay, I know what you’re saying, ask not for whom the bell tolls…
Somewhere along this line of decimation, our number awaits. We will surely not escape all the mayhem we’re causing our global ecosystem through our reckless, careless “style” of living. By the time we become stunningly aware of it, the time will have long since passed where we could have prevented it by changing our ways. Some scientists and many people “connected” to the earth have been telling us in all sorts of ways over the years, but greedy, ignorant, selfish “modern man” won’t heed the warnings. Some generations from now the decline will become precipitous, yet everyone is chasing the dollar and distracting themselves with tv and shopping. We’re a hopeless species and will probably be replaced down the geological road.
You never present any evidence, Tom, for your incessant gloom and doom prophecies.
One word: Prozac.
Iroquis – it’s all around you if you just open your eyes and read. Try the New Scientist website or magazine, try looking at some of the many animal and plant websites (just google “species decline” and check it out). I wish there were a pill that could fix what’s going on in the world.
New Scentist says “we’re a hopeless species”? Sheesh, maybe I should start drinking.
We can be a stuck-up and dumb species, but not hopeless. We have potential.
Well, now i truly think you can discern my attitude (the hopeless part) from the actual state of the environmental decline which is visible to anyone who cares to look.
These are just my comments, people, so go about your days shopping and watching tv. Simply pay no attention to the “depressed” little nobody who comments on a blog you happen to read. Let’s all get back to frolicking in the streets and enjoying ourselves.
My parents both got their degrees in biology, you think I don’t realise how crap humans are doing for our planet?
We’re taking a lot of species down, and it’s horrible. But life does go on and we’re not the most adaptable animals on the planet, so some will manage better than us and others will have to come to terms with it.