Endangered Species List Grows: Over 2,000 Species Now at Risk, Says International Union for Conserva
The endangered species list has grown by 2,000 species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature which tracks biodiversity globally. Their new Red List of Threatened Species was released at the UN climate conference in Dubai. Species facing threats include Atlantic salmon, Central South Pacific, and East Pacific green turtles. Warmer waters impact salmon's ability to find food and allow other species to compete for resources. Rising seas also harm turtle nests. One quarter of freshwater fish species are at risk of extinction as climate change raises sea levels and brings saltwater further inland into rivers. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to climate change, with 41% currently threatened. Higher temperatures and droughts leave them unable to escape environmental changes.