Introduction into Species Extinction

We have invited Marco Dinter, an expert in species extinction, to provide further information during our introduction workshop. You may reach out to him at [e-mail] .

Species extinction, along with climate change, is one of the biggest problems facing our generation. Unfortunately, this issue is becoming more serious with each passing day. Shockingly, every fourth mammal is threatened by extinction, and it is estimated that 130-150 species are extinct every day. This rapid rate of extinction could have catastrophic consequences for ecosystems, leading to unforeseeable catastrophes in the future. In fact, we are already witnessing the start of this, as evidenced by events like the Danube fish killing or algae plagues that occur every year. These are just a few examples of what can happen if we continue to stress Mother Nature too much.

Although most people agree that species extinction is a problem and understand the consequences, it is challenging for them to take meaningful action. The topic of species extinction is complicated and often oversimplified, making it difficult for people to grasp the causes and know how they can help.

In today's world, where people are constantly connected through digital devices, a digital solution could be an effective way to raise awareness about the issue of species extinction. Digital solutions offer several advantages over traditional methods, such as being less time-intensive and having a broader reach. However, creating an impactful digital solution requires careful consideration of design and innovation to stand out from the many existing solutions.

Therefore, this semester, you will explore how you can use your ingenuity and design skills to create a digital solution that effectively raises awareness about species extinction. You will develop a creative and innovative solution following the question:

„How can we generate awareness for species extinction with a digital solution?“

Through your efforts, you can help educate people about the severity of the problem and motivate them to take action to protect endangered species and their habitats.

It is important that your proposed solutions not only educate people but also empower and motivate them to take action towards creating a more sustainable future. A call to action is essential to ensure that the solutions are effective in creating real-world impact and inspiring tangible change.

Discover additional insights about awareness campaigns by visiting this link: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/stop_raising_awareness_already#, which highlights the importance of moving beyond just raising awareness and into taking action.

If you are new to the topic of species extinction, there are many online resources available that can help you get started.

One excellent resource is the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) website, which provides information on endangered species, their habitats, and the factors that contribute to their decline. For further information visit: Artensterben | WWF

Greenpeace is a well-known environmental organization that advocates for the protection of nature and biodiversity. Their website provides a wealth of information on the current state of species extinction and its impact on our planet: Artensterben | Greenpeace

You can also explore the websites of organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Jane Goodall Institute, your local conservation organizations like the Zoo Frankfurt and the Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt to gain more insight into the efforts being made to protect endangered species and promote conservation.

Additionally, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMU) and the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) conduct a study every two years to investigate the environmental consciousness of German-speaking citizens in relation to nature and biological diversity. For the latest results from 2019/2020, please visit Naturbewusstsein 2019/2020