The Revival of the Woolly Mammoth: An Affront on Climate Change
The climate crisis is undeniably the most urgent global issue we face today. It is global, therefore all-encompassing everything on the planet. It does not stop for anything, threatening ecosystems, worsening extreme weather events, and imperiling human lives. The uncomfortable truth is that human activities are the driving forces behind the crisis, which then necessitates immediate action. While this subject is upsetting and seems that we are powerless to assist, there is still hope through new discoveries.
Our answers may lie rooted in the past to preserve our present. The entire prospect of bringing back an extinct animal to combat something so extreme is a fairly new concept, being studied by members of Colossal Biosciences. And so, with the technological capabilities of today, it is entirely possible to bring back the woolly mammoth. The beasts of the past were an integral part of arctic landscapes, as they were keystone species. They act as ‘natural geoscapers,’ transforming their environment. The intention behind their revival would be to reintroduce such an important species to push back against change in those habitats.
Not too long ago, a baby woolly mammoth had been recovered, excellently preserved in ice. Found in Yukon, baby Nun Cho Ga was the first complete mammoth to be found preserved. With this discovery yielding promising DNA, cell cloning by means of biotechnology could go into effect (Rawlence, 2022). Modern-day Asian elephants share a “99.6% genetic match” with their not-so-distant relatives. In fact, both species once existed at the same time (Yeomans, 2023). Colossal Biosciences, located in Dallas, Texas, has taken it incumbent upon them to begin this process of revival, which is, in essence, surrogacy. Matt James is the Chief Animal Officer at Colossal, working specifically with exotic animals and their welfare, as well as their husbandry.
He explained that due to the genetic similarity and the DNA compatibility, it would be like one human to another (James, 2023). The process itself proved to be fairly straightforward, given the right resources were provided.
Additionally, The Head of Biological Sciences at Colossal Biosciences, Dr. Eriona Hysolli, explained a portion of her job in an interview. As implied in her title, she specializes in the genealogical portion, which is the more precise aspect of this undertaking. The creatures developed would need to exist independently, as it is crucial to their survival. They must be able to find food on their own, take care of themselves, and eventually reproduce on their own (Hysolli, 2023). Scientists will monitor the second wave of woolly mammoths to ensure all remains well. James and Hysolli have also expressed reassurance regarding danger to humans, explaining militaries are well-equipped to step in should anything take a wrong turn.
As previously stated, the science itself is fairly straightforward. The most challenging part of this endeavor, however, is the ethics. Normally, when something could be accomplished, it does not always mean that it should. The purpose of this journey is to arrive at the destination where climate change is lessened. Although this is not the be-all-end-all solution, it is intended to be a component in this multifaceted problem.
Currently, in the Arctic (specifically Northern Norway), pine trees have overtaken the cold grasslands due to the planet warming. They are rapidly adding to the warming of the ecosystem, as well as displacing animals that have evolved to specifically withstand the cold tundra. Some of the animals currently suffering are arctic foxes, snowy owls, and the caribou. Grasslands are vital regarding change in climate, as grass is known for its impressive ability to hold CO2, or carbon dioxide, in the ground. Trees displacing both grass and permafrost layers displace carbon, just like they had with the inhabitants of such grasslands.
Keeping the ideal landscape setting in mind, woolly mammoths would be placed in the Arctic to cut back the treeline, clearing out shrubs and trees with ease. The mammoth's sheer size would also compact the top layer of the grassland, which would create permafrost—a layer completely frozen for at least two years that is solid and encapsulates the ground beneath and what it contains. Supported further by Smithsonian, “This form of mammoth de-extinction and reintroduction could therefore promote grasslands and simultaneously slow the thawing of these frozen soils” (Conversation, 2018). Coupling the carbon-efficient layer of grass with an additional layer of permafrost, carbon would get locked into the frozen land. This results in an ideal carbon sequestration ecosystem, which refers to where carbon is effectively ‘trapped’ in solid or liquid form.
Due to climate change over the years, there has been a significant change in the ecosystems. Reviving the woolly mammoth wouldn't be seen as invasive as it seems, as they would not be pushing creatures aside to survive for themselves. The Arctic used to be incredibly biodiverse, comparative to any rainforest today. Dr. James even explained that as time went on and the project became more developed, the new mammoths could be implemented in places such as Canada or even Alaska.
However, there are ethics outside of the cohabitation of animals. Indigenous peoples should have a say on what takes place on their soil. Permission and governmental grants are very much necessary for the whole subject of where to put the newly revived creatures. It may be for the greater good, though it should not be decided for the civilians living in those areas.
While this all may seem very hypothetical, the hypothesis of having grazing or herding animals lower carbon emissions has been tested, albeit on a smaller scale. In Russia, a man named Sergei Zimov has built Pleistocene Park. This park is a large enclosed area that houses grazing animals such as bison, yaks, and musk oxen. The animal populations there have successfully engineered an effective tundra biome that has already reduced soil temperatures. Although it has succeeded thus far, the efforts have been described as “exhausting,” and adding true Pleistocene animals would be incredibly helpful. It is well known by scientists and serves as living proof that enforcing grasslands will lower emissions.
Although this is effective, it is simply not enough. Evolution has changed the capacity for change within grazing species, as they are not the correct scale to influence effective change.
There are lingering concerns as with any scientific endeavor. Errors must be accounted for. For instance, Dr. Eriona Hysolli has concerns with co-dependence with humans once they return. Time is another component of this. It would still take another decade for the woolly mammoths to mate and be ready to reproduce. Time is of the essence, and the species would need to hang on long enough to make it to that point (Hysolli, 2023). There is hope yet against climate change, despite time running out; clearly, enough time has been wasted.
Though aside from the technicalities of it all, de-extinction offers a promising future for the Earth fighting through climate change. Woolly mammoths play a pivotal role in the prevention of further carbon emissions. To enact real change, ‘out-of-the-box’ solutions are exactly what our planet needs. We are faced with more opportunities for success when initiative is taken; focusing on what we can do now instead of dwelling on all that is negative.
It is extremely important to face the strange and uncomfortable, acknowledging our wrongdoings to the environment. Ecosystems are suffering and will continue to suffer unless changes are made. Climate change is a buzzword as of late that is synonymous with hopeless, and yet scientists have taken this and searched deep within our past for solutions. Reviving the woolly mammoth will not solve everything, even if it is a step in the right direction. It cements something else, though—reinforcing all that innovation and knowledge has on solving even our most complex problems.
Works Cited
Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (n.d.). Arctic fox species profile. Retrieved from https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=arcticfox.printerfriendly
Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (n.d.). Caribou — Wildlife viewing. Retrieved from https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewing.landmammals&species=caribou
Conversation, P. M. (2018, May 14). Can bringing back mammoths help stop climate change? Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-bringing-back-mammoths-stop-climate-change-180969072
Hysolli, E. (2023, December 15). Interview with Eriona Hysolli, Head of Biological Sciences at Colossal Biosciences.
Rawlence, B. (2022, February 1). The treeline is out of control: How the climate crisis is turning the Arctic green. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/jan/20/norway-arctic-circle-trees-sami-reindeer-global-heating
Yeomans, M. (2023, November 19). Woolly mammoth de-extinction project underway in Dallas. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved from https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/woolly-mammoth-de-extinction-project-underway-in-dallas/3387516
James, M. (2023, December 2). Interview with Matt James, Chief Animal Officer at Colossal Biosciences.
Neuman, S. (2021, September 15). Scientists say they could bring back woolly mammoths. But maybe they shouldn’t. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2021/09/14/1036884561/dna-resurrection-jurassic-park-woolly-mammoth
Rogers, K. (2014, August 4). De-extinction | Definition, history, ethics, & facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/de-extinction
Selkirk, D. (2022, July 25). Well-preserved, 30,000-year-old baby woolly mammoth emerges from Yukon permafrost. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/well-preserved-30000-year-old-baby-woolly-mammoth-emerges-from-yukon-permafrost-180980388
The Peregrine Fund. (n.d.). Snowy owl species profile. Retrieved from https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/owls/snowy-owl
Welch, C. (2021, May 3). Arctic permafrost is thawing fast. That affects us all. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/arctic-permafrost-is-thawing-it-could-speed-up-climate-change-feature