New Audubon Society Report On Climate Change Impact On Birds

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Heard On The Larry Meiller Show

Larry Meiller finds out what a new Audubon Society report on the impact of climate change is on birds, and what can be done.

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  • Report Finds Threat Posed To Birds By Climate Change Is Severe

    The National Audubon Society recently released a comprehensive study of the impact of climate change on birds, detailing the prospects for 588 species found in Alaska, Canada and the continental U.S.

    The forecast isn’t good, according to Chad Wilsey, one of the study’s authors. Of the species covered in the report, “more than half are likely to be in trouble,” said Wilsey. “Our models indicate that 314 species will lose more than 50 percent of their current climatic range by 2080.”

    The data was collected from two different widespread and ongoing compilations of information submitted by birders: the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and the U.S. Geological Survey’s North American Breeding Bird Survey.

    The importance of the contributions from citizen scientists and amateur ornithologists to those surveys can’t be overestimated, according to Matt Reetz, the executive director of the Madison chapter of the Audubon Society.

    “These are data that were collected by average, everyday citizens throughout the U.S. and Canada,” he said. “And a lot of folks in Wisconsin contributed to this data set over the years.”

    Reliable data is important, but the real challenge is to apply it for meaningful results.

    “We get to take the results of this work and apply it to conservation on the ground,” Reetz said.

    Sometimes the effects of climate change can seem distant — for example, when Pacific Ocean islands are at risk of being submerged. But Reetz said that the consequences are also much closer to home.

    “There are real, major impacts on some of the bird species that we as Wisconsinites grew up loving,” he said. “We are very familiar with them, they’re species that are embedded in our culture and they are at risk here.”

    In addition to taking part in data collection like the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, there are a variety of activities that Wisconsin residents can undertake to help counter the impact of climate change on bird populations. Here are some steps the Audubon report’s authors recommend:

    Create a bird-friendly yard. While there are many resources available, the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology has a handout available titled “Beyond the Birdfeeder: Creating a Bird-Friendly Yard with Native Wisconsin Plants.” An October 2012 segment on “The Larry Meiller Show” also covered the topic.

    Get involved with alocal important bird area. Finding the local Audubon chapter and learning about their programs can be a good first step.

    Put birds on a community’s agenda. This might include talking with neighbors or writing a letter to the editor of the local paper.

    Meet with local decision makers. The report authors encourage residents to email climatescience@audubon.org for help on how to encourage policy makers to incorporate sound science into their decisions.

    Support policies that lower carbon emissions. Greenhouse gases have been proven to contribute to climate change, so support of alternative, green energy sources at the local, state, national and global levels is key.

Episode Credits

  • Larry Meiller Host
  • Judith Siers-Poisson Producer
  • Chad Wilsey Guest
  • Matthew Reetz Guest

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