                  World Conservation Congress 
    
    World Conservation Union scientists say at least eleven thousand kinds of plants and animals are close to disappearing. And they say hundreds of thousands more are at risk. They say climate change could make the problem even worse.  
    Species disappear as the environments they live in are destroyed. Forests are disappearing because of tree cutting and over-development. Water supplies are decreasing from overuse. Oceans are polluted and too many fish are being caught. Experts say the world population will suffer from disease, conflict and poor conditions unless environmental loss is dealt with now. 
    The delegates approved one hundred measures designed to help stop species loss and environmental destruction. They include more protections for mountain areas, forests, and rivers around the world. Greater protections for individual endangered species. More controls on fishing to reduce the loss of endangered sea life. And the establishment of a committee to deal with the effects of large dams on rivers. 
