One million animal and plant species are in danger of extinction, according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
While the major man-made environmental issues is climate change, there are other human-made factors also affecting the natural world.
These include loss of habitat as humans encroach on areas previously reserved for wildlife and the introduction of invasive alien species.
List of some threatened species mentioned:
- Pangolins are hunted for their scales (used in traditional Chinese medicine).
- Echidnas are hunted for their fur and facing habitat loss.
- Sharks harvested for their fins.
- Rays accidentally caught but kept for their meat.
List of some threatened plants mentioned:
- Cacti are poached.
- Cycad are used for ornamentation.
- Orchids are used for ornamentation and medicinal purposes.
