Nature
‘Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to the animals, for they are without sin, while you, with all your greatness, you defile the earth wherever you appear and leave an ignoble trail behind you – and that is true, alas, for almost every one of us!’
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1821-1881, The Brothers Karamazov
If we continue to defile Earth, believing we are superior to Nature, we are doomed.
Biodiversity is the variety of life found on Earth:
trees and plants that purify the air we breathe
the birds and bees that pollinate the plants
the soil, teeming with microbes that are vital for plants to grow
all the native forests, grasslands and wetlands that allow the soil to absorb water and reduce the risk of flooding
and the oceans with vital oxygen-producing phytoplankton.
Biodiversity is of fundamental importance if all ecosystems, developed over millions of years, are to continue to flourish. When any single species becomes extinct, an ecosystem can lose its balance and break down. The full value of biodiversity remains beyond our definitive knowledge and also beyond our imagination.
Loss of Biodiversity
Worldwide, around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades.
Here in Tasmania, where I live, 650 plant and animal species are threatened.
The United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022 provided the five main drivers of biodiversity loss:
changes in land and sea use
climate change
direct exploitation of natural resources
pollution by chemicals and plastics
invasive species
It is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now, with transformation at every level from local to global. There must be fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values.
What can we all do?
be conscious of biodiversity loss, causes and consequences
conserve the use of water
do not be greedy, do not buy more that you need
minimise your use of plastics and chemicals
convert to renewable energy and reduce emissions
join a local environment group or support a national organisation such as World Wildlife Fund
hold the Government to account. Our political leaders have a critical role in preventing further loss of Nature by having effective legislation, policies and regulations and leading the global effort.
