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Stopping Extinction in its Tracks
‘Stopping Extinction in Its Tracks The most unique feature of Earth is the existence of life, and the most extraordinary feature of life is its diversity. Every species alive today is a survivor against impossibly long odds - a product of millions of years of chance and change. A wellspring of wonder and resources. The…
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What is the point of saving endangered species?
‘In 1981, mountain gorillas were at rock-bottom. Confined to a small mountain range in central Africa, with humans encroaching on their habitat bringing poaching and civil war, their population was estimated at just 254. They would all have fitted into a single Boeing 747. Today things look a little better. A survey in…
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How much is all the life on Earth worth?
‘In 1997, ecologist Robert Costanza and his colleagues estimated that the biosphere provides services worth around $33 trillion a year. For comparison, they noted that the entire global economy at the time produced around $18 trillion a year. Unchecked species loss would wipe 18% off global economic output by 2050 Five…
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Wild nature is staggeringly beautiful
‘Take the idea that nature is beautiful, and we should preserve it for its aesthetics and wonder. Our pleasure at the beauty of nature can now be thought of as an ecosystem service. Nature provides us with beauty. If we value something and are prepared to pay to have it, then it has value You may well ask how we can put a…
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5 Endangered Species Making Incredible Comebacks
‘When it comes to saving endangered species, progress is an ongoing effort. Due to issues like poaching, the destruction of natural habitats, and illegal trade, animals face extinction for a number of reasons. Though some scientists are trying to bring extinct animal species back from the dead by resurrecting their DNA and…
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Healing Our Planet
However, Tiffi relaxing in front of a television doesn’t last for long. Her curiosity on how to make the world a better place prompts her to go back to her googling. ‘Over the past few months a stark realization has begun to sink in: our bodies are getting sick because our planet has been sick for a long time. The COVID-19…
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How Nature Can Help Heal Our Planet
Tiffi finds another article about healing the planet. Just then her phone rings and it’s Elsa calling. “Hi Elsa, what’s up?” asks Tiffi. “I’ve been online today looking for articles to go with part 2 of your story. I think I found some interesting articles that will help our community members learn more about the ecosystem…
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NATIONAL ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY
‘Each year on the third Friday in May, National Endangered Species Day offers an opportunity for everyone to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species. The observance also encourages learning about wildlife habitats and the actions necessary to protect them. Every year you can participate along with…
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What is an ecosystem?
One day as Tiffi is walking through the community she overhears some players talking about “ecosystem” and “National Earth Day”. In all of her 8 eight years she never heard of ecosystem before. When she gets home she will have to do some googling. Suddenly her phone starts beeping, and she sees a couple of text messages…
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Tiffi does some googling
As soon as Tiffi walks inside her house she turns on her computer and then goes into the kitchen to get herself a drink. She sits down at her computer and types in “ecosystems”. She is not sure what she is looking for, so she tries the first listing for ecosystems examples. “That’s not going to work,” Tiffi thinks to…
