San Diego Zoo targets global warming

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The San Diego Zoo, known for its pioneering work in preservation of endangered species, is throwing its resources and reputation behind the fight against global-warming.

As part of the National Endangered Species Day on Friday, the zoo declared that greenhouse gases are a major threat to wildlife -- not just polar bears, but other large carnivores, birds, reptiles and even coral reefs. ‘All ecosystems on the planet are being altered by climate change but perhaps none quite as dramatically as coral reefs,’ said Stuart Sandin from the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, one of the speakers at the all-day seminar.

In the past, the zoo has worked with international partners to preserve giant pandas, condors, elephants and other species. Now, the zoo will ‘expand its efforts to implement sustainable alternatives to traditional energy,’ said Allison Alberts, director of conservation and research at the zoo.

-- Tony Perry