Our very own tuatara could be one of the first creatures to face extinction due to climate change, because the sex of its offspring is dependant on the temperature at which its eggs are incubated. With rising temperatures, all tuatara are being born male.
Our forests and other native vegetation play a vital role in helping combat climate change, acting as ‘carbon sinks’. Forest plants and trees store carbon, offsetting the amount of carbon that is released into the atmosphere.
By looking after our forests and other native vegetation better through pest control, recognition of their contribution in government policy on climate change, and reforestation, we can help combat climate change. We also need to do more to make sure the sectors that create most greenhouse gas emissions take their fair share of responsibility. Agriculture produces nearly half of all New Zealand’s emissions, and must do more to reduce its impact on climate change.
Forest & Bird believes the government must set a target for New Zealand to reduce emissions by at least 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. If we don’t act now, up to one-third of the world’s land-based species could be extinct in 50 years.