Ever feel like you’re always on the move? 🚶🌍 According to a recent study by the Weizmann Institute of Science, humans now move 40 times more than all wild land mammals, birds and insects combined!
Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the research shows our global movement has surged by 4,000% since the Industrial Revolution (~170 years ago). Think about weaving through tuk-tuks in Bangkok, hopping on Gojek in Jakarta, or catching the MRT in Singapore – we’re logging miles every day. Meanwhile, marine animals are on the decline, with their movement dropping by about 60%. 🐠📉
This trend is a signature of the Anthropocene – the era where human activity reshapes Earth’s systems. Such intense mobility affects wildlife habitats, alters migration routes, and can even influence climate by boosting emissions from travel. 🦁🦋
Why should you care? Whether it’s your daily scooter ride in Ho Chi Minh City or planning a backpacking trip through the Himalayas, every trip adds to our collective footprint. More movement can mean bigger carbon emissions, traffic jams, and shifting ecosystems that impact air quality, food chains, and weather patterns.
Ready to move with purpose? Swap short car rides for electric scooters, explore local spots over long-haul flights, and back tech that cuts emissions. Every mindful step helps balance our wanderlust with protecting the planet’s wildlife and oceans. 🌿✈️🚲
Reference(s):
Study reveals humans move 40 times more than all wild animals combined
cgtn.com
