Earth exists in a spectrum of interconnected dots and lines that makes every natural thing dependent on one another. Most basic things such as air, land, water, and plants are relatively connected to a large extent that humans cannot do without them. Biodiversity which comprises of the different species and types of plants, animals, micro-organisms, is the core of human existence. Basic human activities and needs such as food production, shelter, and drugs are totally dependent on the existence of an optimally functioning ecosystem - the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment.
The climatic changes on our planet have led to threatening conditions of the ecosystem, varying and harsh weather patterns have led to the gradual extinction of the ecosystem. Man-made activities have continued to contribute to the diminishing ecosystem and also continues to threaten the existence of these species. A definitive approach to this challenge is the continuous reduction of carbon footprints by embracing environment-friendly options such as renewable sources of power over coal. More importantly, it is ensuring the government of individual nations continue to champion policies that continue to fight climate change.
All forms of pollution pose an enormous amount of threat to life on the planet. Air pollution through the release of dangerous chemicals and toxins into the atmosphere from industrial sources such as gas flaring is also a contributing factor to biodiversity loss. It has been estimated that we might have more plastics in the ocean than fishes by 2050 if we continue to pollute the ocean with everyday disposal of single-use plastics. Air pollution can be reduced by embracing electric cars, car-pooling instead of traveling individuals in different cars, more usage of public transportation. The need to discourage single-use plastics is also very important as the drive for recycling and upcycling takes the fore.
Biodiversity loss can also be through overexploitation which happens when natural resources are harvested at a rate that is faster than they can reproduce or sustain themselves. A typical example is overfishing in our oceans and overhunting. The continuous need for policies to reform these sectors by the government cannot be overemphasized. Also, regularly educating the public on the ills of overexploitation to the ecosystem is as important as formulating policies.
An essential ecosystem crucial to the existence of humans is wildlife and forests. About 18million acres of forests are lost yearly as a result of deforestation. Owing to the fact that forests regulate the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere, also controlling rainfall and soil erosion, the need to have our forests operating at optimum capacity is gargantuan. The answer to the impacts of deforestation can be hinged on government policies that provide protection for forests and wildlife. Also, more preference for digital storage solutions over hardcopy, which requires the use of papers should be encouraged.
Other factors contributing to biodiversity loss include the intromission of non-native species into an ecosystem that may likely alter already existing processes. Natural occurrences such as the 2019/2020 Australian wildfires are also some unforeseen, unplanned, and uncontrollable circumstances that are mostly going to lead to biodiversity loss.
As the world celebrates World Environment Day 2020, let us join our efforts together to ensure that we preserve nature and our biodiversity. We do not just owe it to ourselves but the generation coming after us.
We have one earth, we must protect it.
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