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In a recent study the Zoological Society of London and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) species survival commission found that upto 19 % of the world's crocodiles, turtles, snakes, lizards, and other reptiles are threatened with extinction. Many species from India are under threat as well just as one in five of the world's 10,000 species of reptiles. Overall, the study estimated that 30% of freshwater reptiles are close to extinction.
20 February 2013
© Photo by Vijay Rao
In India the Indian crocodile, the King cobra, the South Andaman krait, four types of turtles and the Sikkimese Bent-toed Gecko have been found to be endangered. Another disturbing syndrome in India is that there is no information on the conservation status of one in three reptiles.
This was the largest study of its kind on the condition of the world's reptiles. One thousand five hundred species were studied and 112 species were from India, of which 12.2% are threatened with extinction. Additionally there is not sufficient data for 27% of our reptiles to make an informed decision on their status.
World Bank President warns of climate change impact
At the G20 meeting in Moscow the World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim warned the finance ministers of the world's economic powers that global warming is a tangible risk to the planet and has already been affecting the world economy in unparalleled ways.
He urged all ministers to deal with climate change issues in a serious manner. He said that central bank chiefs and finance ministers are making a big mistake if they don't pay enough attention to this issue.
He called climate change a risk with real consequences and failure to deal with this risk will also result in severe economic problems. He also elaborated on big losses faced by countries as a result of natural disasters like floods, caused by climate change.
Jayanthi Natarajan asks rich nations to create funds to fight climate change
After the BASIC climate change meeting in Chennai, Union Minister of Environment and forest, Jayanthi Natarajan stated that it's important to have a clear direction to raise funds for the Green Climate Fund. Developed nations had pledged to raise funds for developing and poorer nations so that they can take concrete steps to combat climate change. Their goal was to raise $100 billion by 2020, and to fast track initial capitalisation to $30 billion. Only $7 billion of this amount has been provided till now.
The Minister said that there was not enough commitment among the rich nations to create the funding required and without this it will not be possible for developing countries and least developed countries to fight climate change.
She also emphasised the need for unity among the BASIC nations, namely Brazil, South Africa, India and China and also urged them to raise their ambition under the Kyoto Protocol and the U.N. Convention and also incorporate the newest scientific studies on climate change. She concluded that technology transfer, adaptation and capacity building were also important.
Sources:
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/climate-change-real-economic-risk-world-bank-tells-g20-113021600346_1.html
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jayanthi-calls-for-road-map-to-raise-funds-for-battling-climate-change/article4422903.ece
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-16/flora-fauna/37132363_1_freshwater-turtles-hawksbill-turtle-reptiles
Ignatius Thekaekara is Online Media Officer with Greenpeace India.