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Picture Courtesy: Down to Earth

Context:

Climate change is driving cold-adapted Himalayan species like musk deer, pheasants, and snow trout to higher altitudes, causing habitat loss in a phenomenon known as "altitude squeeze."

Major findings of Climate Change on Wildlife:

• According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), nearly one million animal and plant species are currently at risk of extinction.
• Over 14,000 species listed on the IUCN Red List are directly threatened by changing climate conditions.
• If global temperatures rise by 2°C by the end of the century then 18% of all terrestrial species could face a high risk of extinction and
• Sensitive species, such as insect pollinators and salamanders, are particularly vulnerable — with more than 30% of them at high risk under this scenario.

Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife:

1. Habitat Loss: Climate change is dramatically altering natural ecosystems, leading to widespread habitat loss. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns are transforming landscapes, which has caused a severe reduction in habitat for species like polar bears, walruses, and seals.

Consequence: Relocation to unfamiliar areas where resources are limited.

2. Habitat Fragmentation: Fragmentation of remaining habitats creates smaller, isolated patches.

Consequence: Restrict animal movement, reduce access to mates and food, and heighten vulnerability to predators.

3. Disruption of Migration: Climate change is altering the environmental cues—such as temperature, day length, and food availability—that trigger migration in birds, fish, butterflies, and marine mammals.

Consequences: Migration happening earlier than usual, sometimes by several weeks, which can cause a mismatch with the availability of food and suitable breeding conditions.

4. Declining Wildlife Populations: The combination of rising temperatures, habitat changes, and shifting migration patterns is leading to population declines in a wide range of species.

Consequences: Disruption of ecological balance, weaken biodiversity, and diminish the services that ecosystems provide.

Solutions to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts on Wildlife:

• Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Expanding protected areas like national parks and wildlife reserves 
• Rehabilitating degraded environments helps increase ecosystem resilience 
• Strengthening Conservation Initiatives: Funding and supporting conservation organizations. Implementing programs to protect vulnerable species from extinction. 
• Connecting fragmented habitats to allow species migration 

Climate change mitigation strategies of India:

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): The NAPCC serves as India’s primary framework for combating climate change. It aims to build awareness and implement long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development.

• ‘Panchamrit : Five major climate pledges, known as the Panchamrit, which include:

1. Achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030
2. Meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewable sources
3. Reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030
4. Lowering the carbon intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030
5. Reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2070

• India is rapidly investing in clean energy technologies, particularly solar and wind power, to reduce its reliance on coal and other fossil fuels.

• Forest Conservation and Land Use Management: Efforts are being made to increase Forest cover through afforestation and reforestation programs

Supreme Court Judgments Supporting Environmental Protection:

• In K. Ranjitsinh & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors., The Court acknowledged that individuals have a right to be protected from the harmful effects of climate change, grounding this right within Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution.

Significance: These ruling places a constitutional obligation on the government to implement policies and actions that mitigate climate change and protect citizens' health, livelihoods, and environment.

• In State of Telangana & Others vs Mohd. Abdul Qasim, The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of shifting from an anthropocentric (human-centered) perspective to an eco-centric (nature-centered) view of the environment.

Significance: This reinforces the idea that nature itself has intrinsic rights and must be protected, not merely for human benefit but as an ethical responsibility.

Conclusion:

Climate change poses serious threats to wildlife through habitat loss, altered migration patterns, and declining populations. However, with targeted actions—such as reducing emissions, protecting and restoring habitats, supporting conservation, and implementing national strategies like India’s NAPCC, there is hope for adapting to and mitigating these impacts.

Source: Down to Earth