Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink,  a new study from National Audubon Society scientists, reveals climate change is the number one threat to birds. Audubon’s scientists closely analyzed this relationship using the latest climate science research methods and modeling, while significantly expanding their pool of data sources and bird records to capture a deeper, more extensive analysis of the effects of climate change on North American bird species. The latest report shows that North American birds are more vulnerable than ever from rising temperatures and climate-related events like sea level rise, droughts, fires, and extreme weather. The good news is that our science also shows that if we take action now we can improve the chances for the majority of species at risk from climate change.

The study shows that 57 of New Mexico’s birds are in the high vulnerability range. To learn more about which of our birds are threatened and how you can help, go to Audubon’s Birds and Climate Visualizer.

Audubon New Mexico’s Executive Director, Jon Hayes, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to brief New Mexico’s congressional delegation on the impact that climate change will have on our bird populations and the landscapes they depend on. Jon urged Reps Xochitl Torres-Small, Deb Haaland, Ben Ray Lujan, and Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich to continue to be climate champions and to support legislation that will immediately reduce carbon emissions that will conserve and restore wildlife habitat in our state in order to help New Mexico adapt to a changing climate.

Here’s how you can take action and urge Congress to support climate solutions. The Better Energy Storage Technology Act of 2019 will help us switch from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources.