It is predicted that by 2050, the world population will reach nine billion people. However, while we increase in population, much of biodiversity is dying. For example, up to 200 species go extint-- everyday! There may be millions of species out there, but sooner or later, as climate change progresses, and biodiversity is disrupted, we will lose even more species. We use biodiversity everyday in our lives. Biodiversity helps keep climate change from escalating. Each time biodiversity is negatively impacted, climate change gets worse. And, as climate change gets increasingly worse, biodiversity will continue to die. In the end it is all one continuous cycle. If we want to prevent climate change, we need to increase biodiversity.
What is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It is the result of evolution, natural processes, and human influence. Biodiversity includes species and their ecosystems in the biosphere. Biodiversity is necessary for human life. Biodiversity provides humans with food, water, oxygen, energy, detoxification of waste, medicine, opportunities for recreation and tourism, and stabilization of earth’s climate (and that’s just a few examples!). This means without biodiversity, climate change will be even more out of control than it already is. Also, climate change causes the loss of biodiversity so they need to work with each other.
How is biodiversity used in our lives? The food we eat is made of plants. Those plants can only grow if the soil is high quality, thanks to biodiversity. That is just one small example. Anything you do that involves plants. animals, bacteria. Even humans are part of biodiversity. However we are hurting biodiversity more than we are helping it.
The Problem: Human population numbers, improper use of land, and their lifestyles, cause damage to habitats for species. More specifically, farming, mining, hunting, logging and urbanization are causing biodiversity loss, pollution, deforestation and habitat loss and fragmentation. This is a problem because if we keep treating biodiversity like this, we will not be able to rely on biodiversity for the production of food, fibre, and water, control of climate and diseases, or nutrient cycling and crop pollination.
The Solution (What can we do?): We are all dependent on biodiversity everyday so it is important to save it. There are actions individuals can make that can assist in helping the biodiversity problem, but it is important for the government to take actions that will provide a larger scale effect on saving biodiversity. This means reaching out to your state rep or other people of power to let them know the importance of saving biodiversity. You can also work with others to plant pollen and nectar plants. We need to end deforestation at such an unsustainable rate, maintain wetlands by conserving water and reducing irrigation, and promote wildlife. Buy organic food, pick up litter that pollutes ecosystems, educate yourself and others, and if you can-- vote.
Clearly, biodiversity is important. This blog includes only a few of the basic things we can do. Ultimately, we need to decrease the impact of climate change. Feel free to check out my other videos to see some of the other tips I have for you. Hopefully this was helpful and informative. Until next time, peace.
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