Page 13 - De-Extinction: The Science of Bringing Lost Species Back to Life

The researchers noted that not enough area is devoted
to wildlife sanctuaries and that management within these
sanctuaries (such as work to prevent poaching) is often
ineffective. Regulation of hunting and fishing has helped
save some species, the researchers found, though many
species remain in danger. The scientists concluded that
current conservation efforts remain insufficient when stacked
up against all the threats species face. If we want to save
biodiversity on the planet, we must do more to stop the
destruction of animals and their habitats.
Another huge problem that must be addressed is climate
change. In a 2015 assessment of extinction risks from climate
change published in Science, ecologist Mark Urban found
that one in six species could face extinction if climate change
proceeds as expected. Urban reported that species in South
America, Australia, and New Zealand face the greatest risk
of extinction, and the risks accelerate with each predicted
degree rise in global temperatures. To limit global extinctions,
the countries of the world will need to work together to limit
climate change. The basic way to do this is to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions, for example by switching from fossil
fuels to nonpolluting alternative energies, such as solar and
windpower.
De-extinction represents a new and different way to cope
with extinction. For now, it is just a dream. No one has yet
brought back an extinct species for good. Although the dream
looks possible, whether researchers can make it happen
remains to be seen. If they succeed, animals and ecosystems
from the past could flicker back to life in the future. But
even if that never comes to pass, scientists might still use
de-extinction technology to help prevent extinction from
happening in the first place.

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