Protecting wildlife from climate change requires a comprehensive approach that combines immediate conservation actions with long-term systemic changes.

what are the key strategies?

Habitat Protection and Restoration

The most critical action is preserving and restoring natural habitats that serve as climate refuges. Agroforestry and habitat restoration provide habitats and food resources for wildlife while improving shading and reducing drought severity —Protecting Wildlife in a Changing Climate: Four Powerful Adaptation Strategies - Global Center on Adaptation. as climate zones shift, protecting large, intact ecosystems and creating wildlife corridors allow species to migrate.

Wetland and mangrove restoration are particularly valuable as these ecosystems not only support diverse wildlife but also provide natural protection against extreme weather events while storing significant amounts of carbon. the safety of the mangrove and adjacent salt marshes are the breeding ground for many species.

Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions using large scale landscapes help sequester carbon and protect landscapes and communities from storm damage — What is next for climate change in 2024. These solutions create win-win scenarios where wildlife conservation directly contributes to climate mitigation while providing adaptation benefits for both animals and human communities.

Climate-Smart Conservation

Conservation efforts must be adapted for a changing climate. This means identifying species that are most vulnerable to climate impacts and developing targeted protection strategies. Conservation efforts now focus on helping species adjust to climate impacts while moderating climate effects using cutting-edge science — Climate Change | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Individual and Community Actions: what we can do

Support conservation organizations financially and through volunteering

Create wildlife-friendly spaces in gardens and communities with native plants
Reduce personal carbon footprints through energy conservation, sustainable transportation, and dietary choices
Advocate for stronger environmental policies and wildlife protection laws
Participate in citizen science projects that monitor wildlife populations

Systemic Changes

Larger-scale solutions include transitioning to renewable energy systems, implementing carbon pricing, protecting large wilderness areas, and ensuring conservation considerations are integrated into all climate policies. Protecting and enhancing populations of key wildlife species could significantly enhance natural carbon capture and storage — Conserving Wildlife Can Help Mitigate Climate Change, making wildlife conservation itself a climate solution.

The interconnection between wildlife conservation and climate action means that protecting creatures and ecosystems isn't just about preserving biodiversity - it's also one of our most powerful tools for addressing climate change itself.

protecting wildlife from climate change