Climate change is threatening Komodo Dragons, the Earth’s largest living lizards to still walk the Earth.

A new report from an international biodiversity conservation organization says the fearsome reptiles are edging closer to global extinction.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, an assessment of the health of tens of thousands of species across the globe, Komodo dragons have gone from “vulnerable” to “endangered.”. Meanwhile, global temperatures and higher sea levels, IUCN says, will reduce the Komodo dragon’s habitat by at least 30% over the next 45 years.

“The idea that these prehistoric animals have moved one step closer to extinction, due in part to climate change is terrifying,” said Dr. Andrew Terry, conservation director of the Zoological Society of London.

Komodo dragons are native to Indonesia and only live in Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as the nearby island of Flores.

“While the subpopulation in Komodo National Park is currently stable and well protected, Komodo dragons outside protected areas in Flores are also threatened by significant habitat loss due to ongoing human activities,” the report says. (September 4, Jod Hernandez, Twitter)

My comment: the Komodo dragon is one of hundreds of wildlife species being decimated (or made extinct) by the actions of human beings, with all their
selfishness and focus on money. But at least the more enlightened and caring of them realize what is happening to the climate and support measures to avoid catastrophe. Will they be successful? I, for one, will not be here to see, but haven’t a responsibility to future generations to support climate activism. Am I – are you – doing enough? Almost certainly no.