We're funding 28,000+ species assessments with @IUCN to help protect biodiversity: https://t.co/wGteGwkSku pic.twitter.com/rOO0NUnMbL
— ToyotaGB (@ToyotaGB) May 10, 2016
Since the late 1990s, Toyota has been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing fuel-efficient hybrid cars, like the iconic Prius. "But protecting the environment is not just about CO2 and emissions," says Didier Leroy, Toyota's Executive VP, "biodiversity is equally important to human lives."
Starting in 2016, Toyota will be teaming up with the International Union for Conservation of Nature to fund threat-assessments to at least 28,000 species over the next five years.
"By entering this partnership with IUCN, we are very proud to take an additional step toward the challenge of establishing a future society in harmony with nature," Leroy says.
Much of the grant money provided by Toyota will go toward species considered valuable to humans. For example, two trout species native to Oregon, the coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) and the Great Basin redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)*, could be appealing for sport fishing to Medford-area residents and tourists -- however both are threatened with extinction. Neither, thus far, have been added to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
With Toyota's additional funding, more species like the coastal cutthroat trout could be researched, to give wildlife professionals a better idea of how to proceed with conservation efforts, and to create an internationally-accessible catalogue of biodiversity.
If you're looking for a way to help keep the planet green, one of your first stops is Lithia Toyota of Medford. Whether you're shopping for an efficient new vehicle, or taking your current vehicle in for a service appointment, we'll help you reduce your carbon emissions while you drive.
*We do not know if these two species are on IUCN's agenda, or whether Toyota's funding will directly impact our local wildlife. These were named for example purposes only. IUCN is an international organization which conducts threat assessments to thousands of species all around the world.
