London, 24 June 2010
- Migratory species
such as turtles and whales are exceptionally
vulnerable to climate change, according
to preliminary findings from a forthcoming
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
report;Climate Change Vulnerability of Migratory
Species.
These preliminary findings
and the actions that need to be taken to
avert disaster for migratory species will
be discussed today in a series of talks
at the launch of a new book by journalist,
environmentalist and CMS ambassador Stanley
Johnson and co-author Robert Vagg.
Survival: Saving Endangered
Migratory Species,, published by Stacey
International, is an account of the status
of the world's migratory species and the
threats facing them.
Research by the Zoological
Society of London (ZSL) for UNEP's Convention
on the Conservation of Migratory Species
of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) shows that even
the subtle changes in environmental conditions
that could be caused by climate change could
have catastrophic consequences for animals
that migrate.
CMS Executive Secretary
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema said: "Migratory
species are particularly threatened by climate
change as they depend on different habitats
to breed, feed and rest. The findings from
the report will facilitate the Convention's
response to assist migratory species in
adapting to climate change at a global level."
Among those species
that could be affected are loggerhead turtles,
which frequently migrate through British
waters. Risks to them include the loss of
suitable beaches for nesting due to sea-level
rise, and a rise in temperature that could
cause whole populations to be feminized,
eradicating males from the species.
Green turtles, hawksbill
turtles and leatherback turtles are also
identified as species at high risk from
climate change, along with the blue whale,
West African manatee and giant catfish.
ZSL Project Manager,
Aylin McNamara, who led the research for
UNEP/CMS, said: "Increasing temperatures,
changes in precipitation, sea level rise,
ocean acidification, changes in ocean currents
and extreme weather events will all affect
migratory species populations.
"The need for international
efforts is imperative to support species
conservation across national borders and
to combat climate change."
She added: "These
vulnerability assessments show us the likely
order in which these species will become
extinct. This is because under the current
'business as usual' emissions path it's
hard to see how any of these species will
be able to survive. I'm afraid that's how
serious the situation is."
Meanwhile, author of
Survival: Saving Endangered Migratory Species,
Stanley Johnson announced, "I have
been privileged to have been able to serve
as an honorary Ambassador for the CMS for
the last five years. The CMS does vital
work to protect endangered migratory species.
Robert Vagg, the book's co-author, and I
are donating all our authors' royalties
to the UNEP-CMS to help in this important
task".
They will be joined
by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, and Paul Pearce-Kelly,
the senior curator at the Zoological Society
of London (ZSL) leading on climate change
issues for the Society.
Notes to Editors:
Zoological Society of
London (ZSL)
Founded in 1826, the
Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an
international scientific, conservation and
educational charity whose key role is the
conservation of animals and their habitats.
The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL
Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research
at the Institute of Zoology and is actively
involved in field conservation overseas.
For further information please visit www.zsl.org
Convention on the Conservation
of Migratory Species (CMS)
The Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild
Animals (CMS) is an intergovernmental treaty
concluded under the United Nations Environment
Programme and focusing on the conservation
of a wide array of endangered migratory
animals and their habitats worldwide through
the negotiation and implementation of agreements
and species action plans. With currently
113 member countries CMS is a fast-growing
convention with special importance due to
its expertise in the field of migratory
species. CMS provides a framework for global
adaptation and mitigation to save migratory
species, and facilitates implementation
in over 140 countries. Key components include
identifying particularly threatened habitats
and species, and initiating emergency response.
For further information please visit www.cms.int
