Gorillas threatened by climate change
  • 12 years ago
Polar bears aren't the only animals being impacted by climate change. These gorillas in Rwanda are also.
They might seem relaxed but it is harder for these great apes to find food.
Climate change is pushing the vegetation further up the mountain where temperatures are cooler.
A new study by the UN released at the climate conference in South Africa warns that up to a third of all animals are at risk of extinction. Eduardo Rojas of the UN'S Food and Agriculture Organization says it isn't any coincidence that the Rwanada's mountain gorillas are already feeling the affects.
SOUNDBITE: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Eduardo Rojas saying:
"With this study, we wanted to focus on the wildlife, showing where the first symptoms show that we are having problems (and) where we are most likely have much bigger (problems) in the future. They are normally related - the most critical cases - to mountains and to coastal lowlands where the effects are very evident even today."
More encouraging is the news that communities can take action to minimize the impact of climate change. Outside of Volcano National Park, the Batwa have started planting seeds. In time, they hope the trees will help shelter crops and slow some of the erosion caused by climate change.
In South Africa, churches have taken it a step further. They've praying for a positive outcome to a climate conference in Durban.
SOUNDBITE: South African Council Of Churches Priest, Reverend Bataki saying:
"You see these chimneys of firms and factories with black smoke going up, and white smoke going up. That smoke up and destroys the atmosphere."
Deborah Gembara, Reuters
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