By Rick LoBello

Peter Kalmus is climate scientist who moved his family from Los Angeles as California’s climate kept getting drier and hotter.   He wrote about his move and the devastating Los Angles fires in the January 10, 2025 issue of the New York Times.  In wanting to keep his family safe, two years earlier they moved to the eastern part of the country.   After reading his story I started asking myself just where is safe from climate change?

Many believe that the safest areas to live are inland areas at higher elevations that are further from the equator.   El Paso may be a safe place compared to many areas of the world, but with the rising temperatures and drought, we still need to be ready for almost anything in the future. 

There is much that we all can do in confronting the threats of climate change including signing up to join the Chihuahuan Desert Climate Collaborative. The Collaborative is creating the Chihuahuan Desert Region’s first Climate Action Plan focused on preparing the region to mitigate and adapt to climate change.   Join today.

Most people who have been reading this blog know that zoos and conservation advocates including scientists and humanitarians from around the world are all concerned about climate change.   Here at the El Paso Zoo, we are talking about how our animals are impacted around the world by climate change and are working on a new series of graphics.   We have also blogged about actions we all can take to make a difference.       

One project that we have been recently supporting is the Bat Conservation International Adopt-An Agave Program to help endangered Mexican long-nosed bats. Unfortunately, these bats are under threat from loss and alteration of foraging habitat and the effects of climate change, prompting their inclusion in the Endangered Species Coalition’s 2021 report Last Chance: 10 U.S. Species Already Imperiled by Climate Change.

Through Bat Conservation International’s Agave Restoration Initiative, partners like the El Paso Zoo are protecting and restoring foraging habitat for Mexican long-nosed bats throughout the bats’ migratory range. The Trans-Pecos region of Texas outside of Big Bend National Park is a suspected migratory corridor for the species, and climate change predictions indicate that this region may become even more important in the future, making protection of foraging habitat in this area critical to the long-term survival of the species.

After spending decades reading about and experiencing climate change, I remain optimistic, but with a caveat.   While the effects of past greenhouse gas emissions are already being felt, it’s not too late to mitigate further climate change impacts. Scientists emphasize that every action to reduce emissions, even small ones, makes a difference and can help avoid more severe consequences. The window to prevent the worst outcomes is closing, but it’s not closed yet.  Today, it concerns me greatly that no matter what we do it may not be enough and that future generations are in big trouble.

The Zoo is a great place to connect with animals around the world and to motivate people to expand their educational horizons by learning about the interconnectedness of nature and how the amazing natural world is being affected by the change in climate.   Perhaps as we focus on their fate, we will come to better understand how the fate of humanity is at risk.  We can learn about where is safe for animals and perhaps better understand where is safe for people.

Here’s how you can better understand the impact of climate change as you visit the zoo.  

Go online with your smart phone as you visit or before you visit and search for the animal you are seeing and how it is impacted by climate change.  For example.  When you go to google, search for “how are Mexican wolves impacted by climate change.”  AI Overview begins this way – “Climate change presents several challenges for Mexican wolves, including shifting ranges, increased heat stress, and altered prey availability. These changes could lead to habitat loss, reduced reproductive success, and potentially increased competition with other species. “

The best place online to get updated information on wildlife species living at the El Paso Zoo is right here on this blog by going to our Walking Tour Guide page.

Peter Kalmus says in his New York Times piece that no place is safe anymore.   Unfortunately, most people who know about climate change are doing their best not to think about it.   Earlier this year the Zoo hosted a climate summit sponsored by the City’s Climate and Sustainability office.   Over a hundred people attended with a second meeting planned this month.  The Zoo is also working with the Climate and Sustainability team in putting together a rigorous analysis of our current systems and infrastructure. These initiatives are essential not only for boosting the Zoo’s operational effectiveness, but also for significantly diminishing its environmental footprint. The ultimate ambition of the project will propel the Zoo towards the goal of net-zero energy consumption.  Reaching net zero emissions is crucial to mitigate climate change and limit global warming. By balancing greenhouse gas emissions with removals, net zero aims to stabilize the Earth’s temperature and prevent further catastrophic impacts. It’s a key target of the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

Photo credits

Cover – fire, Kari Greer  Gila National Forest, , Wikimedia Creative Commons
Feature – Giraffe, by Rick LoBello
Top – Orangutan, by Rick LoBello
Gila Wilderness, No Barriers USA, Wikimedia Creative Commons