What do otters, whales, and elephants have in common? They all boost the capacity of their ecosystems to store carbon. Elephants spread seeds and trample low plants, promoting the growth of taller trees. Because sea otters eat sea urchins, kelp can grow. While breathing and resting at the surface, whales release nutrients as they feed at depth, promoting the growth of phytoplankton.
A world with abundant wildlife is also a planet with the fortitude to withstand and lessen the effects of the climate crisis. Our future is intrinsically linked to the welfare of all wild creatures on the planet. We must improve our efforts at protecting them if we hope to rescue ourselves.
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