Why they're endangered and how we can help

There are several reasons why animals become extinct, endangered, or threatened.

One of these reasons is that we are destroying their habitats. Forests are destroyed in the process of clearing out land for homes, buildings, and roads. Trees are chopped down to be manufactured into the paper that we use everyday. Several animals live in trees; they are called arboreal animals.(To see some of the animals that live in trees, check this out.) Though one tree by itself can produce over 8,000 sheets of paper, imagine how much paper is being printed, used, bought, and thrown away everyday.

What are some ways you can help?

1. To reduce the use of paper, which reduces trees being cut down, which reduces habitat loss, you can go electronic! Type things instead of writing them. (Or, you can find apps that can write virtually!)
2. Books are wonderful, but they're also harmful to the environment because, guess what, they're made of paper and sometimes plastic for the outside flimsy cover that you find on some library books. Instead of buying a physical book, you can buy ebooks to help save paper. Checking out books from the library is also a good idea.
3. Recycle! Instead of throwing that useless paper into the trash can, put it in a recycling bin. If your home doesn't have one, you can start finding ways to get an extra bin for recycling. Also, instead of screwing the cap tight on a half-finished water bottle and letting it thump into the trash, empty it out at a sink and recycle it.

This is the process of producing paper and recycling paper. By recycling, you can save a lot of trees!

Image from http://www.iqsdirectory.com/industry/recycling_equipment/

Another cause of endangered animals is pollution. Everyday, factories, homes, and transportation is polluting the air, water, and land of the Earth. In terms of air pollution, manufactured goods are responsible for a lot of the pollution. It's okay to get a hand-me-down sometimes, you're saving a bit more of the earth.

How to reduce pollution:

1. Don't just toss trash outside. If you have to, you can hold on to it until you see a trash can (or better, a recycling bin).
2. Try reusing materials in fun crafts during spare time. (Here's a list of over 300 fun ways to make crafts out of old materials.)
3. Carpool with someone. Cars emit a lot of CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the air. 
4. Plant some trees and plants in your backyard. They take sunlight (which you don't need to provide) and water (as long as the rain's well, you don't need to worry either) and go through a process called photosynthesis to take carbon dioxide and make it into oxygen. They're the air-cleaners of our earth!

Image from http://www.cleanerandgreener.org/resources/air-pollution.html