Surfbirds News

In its latest briefing, Saving the world's natural wonders from climate change, the global conservation organization reports on how the devastating impacts of global warming are damaging the world’s greatest natural wonders.

Green Turtle, Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef off Coral Bay May 2006 © Brian Egan

Released ahead of the International Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC’s) Second Working Group Report, the WWF briefing also details the work being undertaken in each of the ten regions to build defenses against the damaging impacts of climate change.

“While we continue to pressure governments to make meaningful cuts in heat trapping greenhouse gas emissions, we are also working on adaptation strategies to offer protection to some of the world’s natural wonders as well as the livelihoods of the people who live there,” says Dr Lara Hansen, Chief Scientist of WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme. “We are trying to buy people and nature time, as actions to stop the root cause of climate change are taken.”

The Great Barrier Reef is threatened by warming waters causing coral bleaching. The Yangtse River is facing water shortages as glaciers continue to retreat. In response to the crisis facing China’s Yangtse River, WWF is assessing the situation and setting up pilot projects which will show government and local communities how best to adapt to climate change impacts.

Meanwhile, increased incidence of forest fires could spell the end of one of the world’s greatest forests. The Valdivian forests in Chile and Argentina include trees up to 3,000 years old. WWF and local partners are fighting for conservation area protection status for all areas of resistant forests.

“From turtles to tigers – from the desert of Chihuahua to the great Amazon – all these wonders of nature are at risk from warming temperatures,” says Lara Hansen. “While adaptation to changing climate can save some, only drastic action by governments to reduce emissions can hope to stop their complete destruction.”