This article talked about one of the many outcomes of climate change. Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Britain and Ireland, "has lost more than three quarters of its overwintering water birds". Queen's University Belfast researchers have published a study in the Freshwater Biology journal, noting the drastic drop in diving ducks from 100,000 to less than 21,000 in a time frame of only 10 years. Along with the results of climate change, the scientists fell a major factor in this was the fact that there was a 66% decline in the duck's food in the lake, like insects and snails. While they were losing food sources here, temperature in Northern Europe during this time were increasing by about 3.8 degrees Celcius, therefore decreasing any incentive whatsoever for the birds to migrate.
There are so many consequences of our actions as humans as far as our carbon footprints stand. Study after study, like this one, just proves the point that we have to change our ways because the environment is changing before our eyes and not always for the better. One change sets off a chain reaction, like the decrease in snails and insects in this one lake. How many more studies like this one need to be published before we see the real problem and get the world back to working the way it was before, naturally?
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