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Biodiversity loss
Of the many challenges humanity faces, the loss of biodiversity is one of our greatest crises.
Biodiversity is a term to describe the variety of living beings on Earth. Environmental changes can have catastrophic impacts on the survival of a species, and biodiversity is a major factor in nature’s resilience. A very slight genetic variation between different species, or members of the same species, can allow certain organisms to survive these changes, therefore ensuring their own survival.
When a genetic mutation takes place within a species, this new development can give the mutated organism an advantage in the environment. This process continually occurs over generations, until eventually, an entirely new species is formed. It is this process that allow organisms to survive and thrive in their surroundings.
Sadly, biodiversity loss has become an alarming problem in recent years. Biodiversity loss refers to the decrease in biodiversity in a species, ecosystem, or a given area. Extinction currently threatens 40% of plant species. In Europe, bumblebee numbers are down by 17% , and in North America this number is 46%. 7 million hectares of trees are lost through deforestation every single year; the very lungs of the planet are being destroyed. By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans if current trends continue. The environmental changes that these species are facing are occurring at a rate too fast for them to adapt, meaning that a high percentage of the earth’s creatures will not survive.
Each of these on its own is a huge concern, but the combined effects on our world’s ecosystem are accelerating global warming, affecting our food security and devastating wildlife and its diverse habitats across the world. While these statistics are horrifying enough on their own, seeing these figures in isolation does not acknowledge the influence that a change in one species can have in another. A creature as seemingly small and insignificant as a bumblebee plays a huge role in pollinating flowering plants, without which many plant species would suffer. An ecosystem is called such because each species plays a small role, contributing to the larger system. The loss of significant numbers of one of these species therefore throws everything off balance and has devastating effects, not just on their own kind, but on the rest of the world as well.
In so many indiscernible ways, our own actions can affect species that are hundreds of miles away from us. A global rise in temperature of one degree Celsius, while seemingly insignificant to us, can wipe out hundreds of organisms that have very specific conditions required for their survival. Last year, an intergovernmental panel of scientists reported that one million animal and plant species were now threatened with extinction. This alarming fact warns us that we may be entering the sixth mass extinction, with our actions now changing the course of survival on Earth. To put this into perspective, one of the first five mass extinctions was the asteroid strike that killed off the dinosaurs and many species in the sea.
However, there is still time for action to be taken to change this course. Modelling shows that there is a possibility of halting and reversing terrestrial biodiversity loss caused by land use change by 2050. This would require structural changes and ambitious proposals, as well as ultimately requiring large proportions of the population to change their current lifestyles. Some examples of strategies to achieve this include sustainable increases in crop yields, reducing waste of agricultural goods, cutting down on meat consumption, increasing restoration, and planting trees.
Biodiversity is a term to describe the variety of living beings on Earth. Environmental changes can have catastrophic impacts on the survival of a species, and biodiversity is a major factor in nature’s resilience. A very slight genetic variation between different species, or members of the same species, can allow certain organisms to survive these changes, therefore ensuring their own survival.
When a genetic mutation takes place within a species, this new development can give the mutated organism an advantage in the environment. This process continually occurs over generations, until eventually, an entirely new species is formed. It is this process that allow organisms to survive and thrive in their surroundings.
Sadly, biodiversity loss has become an alarming problem in recent years. Biodiversity loss refers to the decrease in biodiversity in a species, ecosystem, or a given area. Extinction currently threatens 40% of plant species. In Europe, bumblebee numbers are down by 17% , and in North America this number is 46%. 7 million hectares of trees are lost through deforestation every single year; the very lungs of the planet are being destroyed. By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans if current trends continue. The environmental changes that these species are facing are occurring at a rate too fast for them to adapt, meaning that a high percentage of the earth’s creatures will not survive.
Each of these on its own is a huge concern, but the combined effects on our world’s ecosystem are accelerating global warming, affecting our food security and devastating wildlife and its diverse habitats across the world. While these statistics are horrifying enough on their own, seeing these figures in isolation does not acknowledge the influence that a change in one species can have in another. A creature as seemingly small and insignificant as a bumblebee plays a huge role in pollinating flowering plants, without which many plant species would suffer. An ecosystem is called such because each species plays a small role, contributing to the larger system. The loss of significant numbers of one of these species therefore throws everything off balance and has devastating effects, not just on their own kind, but on the rest of the world as well.
In so many indiscernible ways, our own actions can affect species that are hundreds of miles away from us. A global rise in temperature of one degree Celsius, while seemingly insignificant to us, can wipe out hundreds of organisms that have very specific conditions required for their survival. Last year, an intergovernmental panel of scientists reported that one million animal and plant species were now threatened with extinction. This alarming fact warns us that we may be entering the sixth mass extinction, with our actions now changing the course of survival on Earth. To put this into perspective, one of the first five mass extinctions was the asteroid strike that killed off the dinosaurs and many species in the sea.
However, there is still time for action to be taken to change this course. Modelling shows that there is a possibility of halting and reversing terrestrial biodiversity loss caused by land use change by 2050. This would require structural changes and ambitious proposals, as well as ultimately requiring large proportions of the population to change their current lifestyles. Some examples of strategies to achieve this include sustainable increases in crop yields, reducing waste of agricultural goods, cutting down on meat consumption, increasing restoration, and planting trees.
There is much to do, and time is short, but we can all play a role and help preserve our beautiful unique and distinct ecosystems. Treat the Earth with love and respect and she will provide, protect and love us. Carry on the path we are following, and we face an uncertain future.
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Help us to help you. Join our mission and Become Carbon Negative.
