**5.3 Animals**

*Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development*

agriculture is the most endangered activity adversely affected by climate change.

Plant growth, blooming, pollination, and fructification are impacted by climate change [17–19]. With the occurrence of shorter winters and warmer springs, plants bloom earlier for a shorter period and die younger (**Figure 9**). Winter chill is essential for several fruit-producing trees. Insufficient chilling due to climate change can affect the productivity of fruit trees (e.g., less fruits, smaller fruits, and changes in color, texture, and taste of fruits) [17, 18]. Around 75% of the production of seeds and fruits for human consumption depend on pollinators. Pollinators, especially bees, are facing unprecedented challenges for survival. With the lack of synchrony between plants and pollinators due to shift in seasons and the decline in the number of pollinators, the production of fruits is decreasing while the cost is significantly increasing.

The decreased farming activity will lead to food insecurity.

*5.2.2 Blooming, pollination, and fructification*

*Climate change is responsible for earlier blooming time of plants.*

*Climate change challenges plant survival.*

**Figure 8.**

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**Figure 9.**

Climate change exposes animals to a variety of stressors, influencing metabolic and endocrine functions, with potential consequences for the survival of species [14, 20–28]. With climate change, more animal species are going extinct every year. Approximately 700 mammals and birds are impacted. The degree of vulnerability varies by the type of animal and different species will be affected in different ways. Species with low tolerance for rising temperature are vulnerable to extinction. The vulnerable/endangered animals include polar bears, koalas, elephants, sea turtles, cheetahs, panda bears, and penguins (non-exhaustive list).

Species affected by climate change will either need to move to more suitable locations (e.g., higher elevations and latitudes) or to adapt to changes at their current locations (e.g., habitat, feeding and breeding patterns). If unable, they may perish and become extinct.
