Protecting Biodiversity

Did you know: Biodiversity loss is equally as urgent a matter to our wellbeing as the climate crisis. Here’s why:

“Biodiversity” refers to the abundant variety of all living things on Earth. This includes plants, animals, bacteria, fungi… and people, too. The diversity of species are all linked together in networks called ecosystems. Biodiversity and ecosystems are important for the beneficial goods and services they provide that enable our own life. This includes services such as pollination, water purification, flood control, climate regulation, soil formation, and many others. 

Due to growing human activity, however, many species are threatened with extinction, putting the planet’s biodiversity at risk.

The 5 Biggest Threats to Biodiversity:
1. Land & sea use change
2. Pollution
3. Species overexploitation
4. Climate change
5. Invasive species

Each of these threats is due directly to an imbalance of human-centered industrial activity. Healthy industry is essential to support our growing human population and all businesses depend on the goods and services that ecosystems and biodiversity provides. For example, businesses depend on things like fish stocks, food & water supplies, raw material supplies, recreational areas, and natural protection from severe weather. Yet these things are presently under threat of great harm. Ecosystems need adequate time to regenerate. If we don’t take care of the other species we’re connected to, they won’t be able to take care of us. Balance is key.

Here’s what individuals & businesses alike can do to proactively and collaboratively make a difference:

1. Examine the supply chains of what you purchase and consume, and make efforts to minimize risk to biodiversity

2. Support the protection of biodiversity by supporting commitments to climate change and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

3. Know your ecological footprint and take action to minimize your impact

If each of us takes mindful steps to do our part, we can make this planet a little bit greener!

#biodiversity #environmentallyfriendly #sustainability #ecofriendly