Biodiversity Crisis

As shown by the title, our earth’s biodiversity is at crisis. But some may wonder, what is biodiversity? Wikipedia tells us that biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or on the entire Earth. Interesting enough, my science teacher was starting on the Biodiversity chapter when I spotted this poster. We learnt about the classification of species using their common characteristics, but I realize that there are always exceptions. For instance, we know that mammals give birth, however there are those which lay eggs. Also, some of them have wings or fins instead of limbs. This, I feel, is the wonder of biodiversity.

Although a number of new species are discovered and added into different families with millions of others everyday, less than one percent of all species that ever existed still exists today, and the number is still dwindling at an alarming rate. Have you watched the movie “Happy Feet”? This is what will happen if the biodiversity in the polar region decreased. When penguins have no fishes to fill their tummies, with seals constantly on the prowl, sooner or later they will join the Dodos in the museum. Sadly, some men, as portrayed in the movie, are blinded by profits and no longer concern about others. As long as money rolls in their pockets, nothing matters. This is why before we make a move, we must change our attitudes. Or else, before long you will be fed up with the practices. By then, the only species with guaranteed increase in population is human. It’s undeniable that there’s nothing much we can do about alternating other’s attitude, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot try. Ecotourism has its pros and cons, but the cons are worth it if it manages to awaken the heart of ours to protect the biodiversity. Future generations should be exposed to the fact that our earth’s biodiversity needs saving. Frequent visits from schools and families to animal care centres may arise the love for them that should be planted into their souls since little, and thus demands on products made from animal body parts will be reduced. Well, among all the stuff we could do to maintain biodiversity, one of them is to support organic veggies! Why? Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers, they meddle with food chains. Not only do they kill innocent lives which are just poking around at the wrong place for food, on the other hand fertilizers that made their way into the river greatly encourages the growth of other water plants, and that certainly will turn the food web upside-down. But before you blame the farmers, think. Why did they do so? They are trying to make money from pleasing us with big, juicy harvests! So if we turn down the offer and go for organic veggies instead, we are actually indirectly helping to maintain the biodiversity. Next, when we protect a certain species, we must protect it from all aspects. For example, it is impossible protect Koala Bears while destroying the gum trees, which serves as its food and habitat. This is why trees should be cut selectively instead of clearing out the entire forest, as they are homes to many. Besides, it is hard to maintain biodiversity in an area after deforesting, especially when you replant only certain species of fast-growing trees as happening in China, or when you’re not even bothered to do so. What we civilians can do to reduce the necessity of forest clearing is to, of course, recycle paper. Of the wood harvested for industrial purposes (everything but fuelwood), fully 42 percent goes to paper production. That’s why we should never get tired from recycling. Remember, your contributions will be greatly appreciated.