Green Issues

At no time in recorded history have so many species of animal faced extinction. Alarmingly, scientists say that our planet is currently undergoing a mass extinction episode, brought about (bring about: traer consigo) by a combination of factors that include habitat destruction, diseases, pollution, uncontrolled hunting, and -above all- climate change.    One solution is to pass (to adopt; to approve) strict laws protecting both wildlife and their habitats. Not only must the hunting or the capturing of endangered or threatened species be made a criminal offence, the sale, export or import of products from those animals should also be prohibited worldwide. Clearly, such regulations will be difficult to enforce (to apply, to implement) in certain countries, but they are essential if the trade in ivory (marfil), for instance, is to be stopped. In addition, the law must prevent damage to natural habitats by pollution, uncontrolled building or the use of pesticides.    Another approach would be to create protected zones where a recovery plan would enable endangered animals, especially those most affected by habitat loss, to return to their previous population levels. Crucially, such zones would be kept free from water contamination, illegal hunting and invasive species, while wildlife-friendly land management practices would be encouraged and animals relocated there from less safe environments.   On balance, however, I would prefer to see legislation. Unfortunately, there simply are not the resources available to establish protected zones for all the animals at risk, and the loss of one species inevitably leads to the extinction of others within the ecosystem. The law, on the other hand, can be applied globally to combat what is now, undeniably, a global crisis.