teps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are thought to contribute to an increase in global temperatures, there exist various other ways in which humans can reduce the loss of habitat and species due to climate change. Humans are the most invasive species to ever inhabit this planet and we can take steps to reduce our fingerprint on the environment. This would at least give other species a fair shot at adapting to a changing climate without the added stress of overcoming anthropogenic barriers. We could resist the urge to build seawalls and dikes in the interest of human property and allow coastal areas to naturally expand as the climate warms. Given the freedom to adapt without human barriers, many wetland areas will be able to survive a warming climate, although not much is known about the resulting influences on surrounding areas (forests, estuaries and marshes.) Other anthropogenic influences cause stress for species as well, such as deforestation, pesticides and herbicides, introducing invasive non-native plants and building dams for hydroelectric power. Combined with the pressure of a warming climate, many species just cannot survive. It is time we address the health our planet and our own ecology on a more holistic level. A place for everything and everything in its place. Indicator species such as polar bears and butterflies are signaling us that we are treading into uncharted waters. We must cautiously move forward taking preventative measures where possible and reducing our fingerprint on our climate and environment in general or we will be yet another species unable to adapt, and eventually, suffer extinction....
