New Zealand's endangered chesterfield skink is among species most threatened by climate change and its impacts. Photo / Sabine BernertNew Zealand's endangered chesterfield skink is among species most threatened by climate change and its impacts. The tropics were especially vulnerable, with more than 60 per cent of tropical endemic species facing extinction due to climate change alone. Those figures more than doubled at 2C, and, if the warming hit 3C, they jumped to 20 per cent and 32 per cent endemic land and sea species, respectively. "Countries need to fulfil their promises to protect nature and use nature in an environmentally sustainable way, especially in areas with high numbers of endemic species," Costello said.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 19, 2021 17:02 UTC