How to Protect Birds from Climate Change
The threats that birds are facing from climate change and what we can do to help
We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. Birds, among many other groups, are facing high rates of extinction. In North America alone, two-thirds of the bird species here are at risk of extinction due to climate change. Large-bodied, northern range species such as the snowy owl shown above are the most vulnerable.
How are birds being affected by climate change now?
The effects of climate change on birds are complex. Migratory birds are experiencing a loss of southern range as they spread northwards, with at least 126 North American species projected to lose over 50% of their current range by 2050.
Warming temperatures have also been associated with less harsh winters, which has lead to fewer birds migrating to their winter locations. This is because harsh winters are one of the main drivers of winter migration.
Migration timing is rapidly changing as well. A 2008 study by Anders Pape Møller, Diego Rubolini, and Esa Lehikoinen found that populations of European birds that did not adjust their migration timing to match the earlier growing seasons experienced a decline. They predicted that this effect will grow stronger over time, posing an even greater threat to many species.
A strange effect of climate change seldom discussed is the average decrease in body size seen in bird species across the board. This is due to Bergmann’s rule — a rule in zoology which states that body sizes tend to decrease with increasing temperatures. The reason behind this trend is not well known, but it has been observed in many species over time.
How do we combat this?
Addressing climate change head-on will require massive changes in just about every sector of society. These changes range from lifestyle changes on the individual level to a complete restructuring of our energy system and economy.
In the meanwhile, there is something that we can do to protect our most vulnerable birds who may not survive long enough to see a transformed world without direct action.
Recent studies have shown that vulnerable bird species benefit from the establishment of large swaths of protected area along their ranges. Protected areas provide space and resources for communities to readjust to environmental changes.
Additionally, for species whose range lies in forested regions, protected areas can buffer temperature changes, protecting birds from harsh temperature extremes that may have otherwise caused their population to dwindle.
What can we do to advocate for protected areas?
Vote for politicians who have a history of being pro-conservation. You can send an email to your representative in support of conservation policies. In your letter, you should ask for a reply.
You can also help out by getting in touch with local conservation groups. Well-known groups that focus on birds are the National Audubon Society, based in the United States, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, centered in Britain. Both of these organizations have many local chapters.
What else can we do as individuals?
There are changes we can make in our lifestyles to reduce the amount of land used by humans.
According to a recent study on land use, out of the 71% of the land that is habitable on Earth’s surface, 50% is used for agriculture. Of that 50%, 77% is used to feed livestock. This includes livestock raised for their products, such as egg hens and dairy cows. In the U.S. alone, 41% of land is used to feed and raise cows.
If everyone were to adopt an entirely plant-based diet, that 77% of land agricultural land would be freed of use. It could then be reforested and protected, restoring the natural habitats of countless species. This would ultimately result in a 28% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Final thoughts
The threat that climate change is posing is daunting, but it is not too late to take action. We can adapt our lifestyles in a way that helps to mitigate the impacts of human activity on the environment, and we can work together to ensure that legislation is passed which supports these efforts.
