Global Pet Craze Is Becoming a Major Contributor to the Extinction Crisis
Human activities such as deforestation, urban expansion, overhunting, and climate change are driving this biodiversity crisis. Climate change, in particular, threatens to alter habitats and disrupt ecosystems worldwide.
The news media often reports on these issues. What is less reported on is how our affection for pets contributes to the overall environmental problem. While we cherish our pets, they harm wildlife directly through predation, habitat destruction, and the spread of diseases. The booming pet industry exacerbates these impacts by driving demand for wildlife as pets and consuming vast amounts of resources.
In 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, a group of international scientists, warned that approximately 1 million species worldwide are in danger of disappearing forever. This alarming statistic, reached by consulting hundreds of experts from 50 countries, highlighted the critical state of biodiversity on our planet.
Among these species, one in five vertebrate animals is at risk of extinction. Every year, around 52 different mammals, birds, and amphibians are pushed closer to the brink of oblivion. Additionally, many unknown species may vanish before they are even discovered by science.
Insects, for instance, face a grave threat. Despite estimates suggesting that four out of five insect species are yet to be identified, researchers fear that more than 40 percent could disappear within decades due to declining populations. A 2017 study in Germany revealed a dramatic decline in flying insects over nearly three decades, raising concerns about ecosystem stability.
This biodiversity loss isn’t just about individual species—it threatens entire ecosystems. Scientists warn of an “extinction cascade,” where the disappearance of one species triggers the loss of others, leading to ecosystem collapse.
Human actions, particularly population growth and urbanization, play a significant role. By the end of the 19th century, the human population surpassed the combined weight of all wild mammals on Earth. With over 8 billion people on Earth as of 2024—projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050—humans vastly outnumber wild animals.
Despite our love for pets, we must recognize the importance of wild creatures to our planet’s health and the survival of all species. From conservation efforts to responsible pet ownership, our actions must aim to protect and preserve biodiversity for future generations.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
