Public urged to save plant, animal species from extinction

MALOLOS, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Earth Day Network Philippines (EDNP) urged the public to save plant and animal species from extinction and maintain a well-balanced ecosystem.

Paquito Moreno, DENR executive director for Central Luzon, said Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has noted that the problem of biodiversity loss may get out of hand due to irresponsible people.

“It is the responsibility of the DENR to protect wildlife, but the job may be futile without the participation of the people,” Cimatu said.

The environment chief also appealed to local communities and leaders to work together to ensure that all resources – be it mining, energy or food – are sustained.

On the other hand, EDNP president Wigberto Tañada Jr. stressed that educating and raising awareness about the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species and the causes and consequences of this phenomenon are significant elements to prevent species loss.

He added that the increased rate of extinction of species has been largely attributed to human activity, which has permanently damaged the ecosystem.

“Lack of care or even ignorance… human activity has irretrievably upset the balance of nature,” Tañada pointed out.

Statistics from Earth Day International (EDI) show that 40 percent of the world’s bird species are in decline with one of eight threatened with global extinction, while the wild animal population, specifically land animals, has decreased by 40 percent.

EDI studies likewise prove that a quarter of the world’s coral reefs are beyond repair, while 75 percent are at risk.

This trend, Tañada noted, cannot continue, since nature should not be neglected due to unrestrained economic interests.

“We must adopt policies that protect broad groups of species as well as individual species and their habitats, and activate a global movement that embraces nature and its values,” Tañada added.