A war is sweeping across the entire world at this very
moment and it is a battle we cannot afford to lose. The war is on for
biodiversity conservation and preservation! Currently, biodiversity loss is
fast becoming a reality. It is no longer a vague problem of the future but a
horrifying and veritable truth of the present.
According to the Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 of the
United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP), there about 2 million species of
life already known to mankind. But still, this is only a fraction of the actual
assortment of life thriving on earth. For years, experts in the field of
science have assumed that there could be 90 million species left out there, still
undiscovered. With no definite figure to begin with, it is difficult to measure
the extent at which we are losing biodiversity. However, above all scientific
arguments, we are faced by an undisputable fact that we are indeed losing our
species at an unprecedented rate of 0.01 to 0.1 % which is a thousand times
higher than the natural rate of extinction. If the previous assumptions are
true, then we could be losing 2 hundred to 2 thousand species annually or as
the GBO 3 would claim 130 species everyday. The current threats are disastrous.
It is clear that biodiversity is now on its plight that apparently we humans
have caused.
Biodiversity or biological diversity
refers to the web of life that encompasses all species on earth including the
full-range of ecosystems, their component species, and the genetic variety of
those species produced by nature or shaped by humans. It also defined as the
variety of life within species, between species and of their ecosystems. But
then, what makes biodiversity so important to our existence? Why should we be
bothered of the present plague that it is suffering?
Well, biodiversity is life and
biodiversity is our life. Our existence as species in this world is
inextricably linked with the survival of other life forms from which we rely
on. We depend and obtain enormous gains
from biodiversity for it is our source of countless irreplaceable needs and
services.
Biodiversity feeds the world. People
acquire their daily source of food from plants and animals. The Philippines along
with Malaysia and Indonesia for instance derive about 60%-70% of their animal
protein intake from marine fisheries. Moreover, species of certain plants also
serves as source of genetic materials to improve domestic crops to meet the
increasing food demand. Biodiversity therefore is our food basket. If we
continue to aggravate the plague it is suffering, we would eventually starve.
Biodiversity also heals. Plants have
long been use as medicine since the ancient times for curing a variety of
illnesses. With the advancement brought by science and technology, researches
done were able to tap the natural components of medicinal plants and processed
them into drugs healing diseases that have long been dreaded. Improvement of
the quality of life and living has been achieved through the exploitation of
nature’s heritage. But with biodiversity loss at hand, one could foresee the
impacts it will be leaving in the field of medicine and health.
Biodiversity also protects. It
provides us ecological goods for free such as the clean air that we breathe the
potable water that we drink and the fertile soil from which our food is
derived. Nature also offers a wide range of ecosystem services such as climate
stability, maintenance of ecosystems, soil formation and protection, pollution
breakdown and absorption, and nutrient storage and recycling. Life would not be
possible without these goods and services which biodiversity offers us without
any cost. We are also able to recover from climatic events such as La Niña
and El Niño because biodiversity provides elements
essential to cope with the aftermath of these natural phenomena.
In
addition, Biodiversity is a key driver to economic prosperity. It is a source
of livelihood to millions as the economy of the country is driven by the use of
species in industries such as biotechnology, forestry, agriculture, fisheries
and pharmaceuticals. It is also at the heart of the world’s second largest
industry,ecotourism. Ecotourism, which largely depend on natural attractions
brought about by biodiversity is a major economic player making jobs for people
and attracting investors towards the country.
For
us to continue reaping these aforementioned benefits from biodiversity, it is
imperative that it should be conserved. However, despite the profit that it is
bringing, it remains vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts. The loss of
Philippine biodiversity has been pointed out to be the result of the following.
First of the list is habitat destruction. Anthropogenic activities leading to
habitat destruction include destructive and unsustainable practices such as
logging, fires, land conversion, siltation, destructive fishing methods and
encroachment and occupancy in protected areas. Scientific estimates indicates a
gruesome fact that every second a parcel of rainforest the size of a football
field is disappearing. Thus, deforestation alone could accelerate the pace at
which species are vanishing. These abusive activities are further worsened by
nature-wrought destruction which is brought about by natural calamities like
volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, typhoons, and pests and disease.
Next
in the list is overexploitation. Overexploitation and non-sustainable use of
our country’s biodiversity is primarily induced by population pressure, poverty
and paucity of livelihood opportunities. Natural resources in our forests such
as commercial timber species as well as non-timber species and animal products
are illegally tapped. Mangrove timbers are also overharvested for fuel wood,
animals for trade and fish and shellfish for food. In the marine ecosystem,
commercially important species, notably tuna, shellfish and other edible
species are also overharvested. Agricultural ecosystems are hard pressed to
yield greater harvests to feed the rapidly growing population. These unbridled
economic activities have caused the obliteration of our ecosystems and their
natural functions.
Another
threat to biodiversity is pollution. Pollution, primarily brought by
industrialization and urbanization poses a wide range and indirect hazards to
biodiversity. Chemical wastes from factories and domestic wastes from homes are
all dumped into our precious water resources which are home to a rich variety
of life. Plastics and solid waste problems in particular have intruded into the
natural food chain. In addition, the introduction of invasive species also
causes biodiversity decline.
As
biodiversity is confronted with a series of peril, the dilemma is exacerbated
by the climate change. Climate change is one of the significant causes of
biodiversity loss but at the same time, biodiversity has an important role in
mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Weak
Institutional and legal capacities has also been pointed out to be a
contributor to biodiversity loss. Major drawbacks in biodiversity conservation
and sustainable use include inappropriate and obsolete policies and
institutions, shortage of technical expertise and funds, limited access to
information, education and communication capacities. With major discrepancies
in biodiversity conservation, the government systems around the world are
strengthening their efforts to develop programs that will alleviate biodiversity’s
plight.
Promising
as these approaches maybe, conservation efforts will never succeed in the long
run if the local economic needs of the people in and near threatened ecosystems
are not taken into account. Biodiversity conservation and sustainable
development therefore form a critical nexus that is crucial to our survival. As
stated by ACB Executive Director Rodrigo Fuentes,” Our biodiversity resources and the ecosystems that support
them are our lifelines and are crucial contributors to environmental
sustainability”.
Every
bit of biodiversity gives mankind a bunch of favors-favors that we get for
free. It is due to this fact that people abuse. We get more than what is enough
for our benefit. We grow greed in our hearts that is why continually to loss
the battle against the menace of biodiversity loss. This combat is a race
against time. At this very moment, we could be losing another species. Yet, it
is not too late. And we are not powerless against it. We could still save our
planet’s biodiversity. The time to act is now!
It should not be believed that all
beings exist for the sake of the existence of man. On the contrary, all the
other beings too have been intended for their own sakes and not for the sake of
something else. You’d probably heard of the familiar saying, “Do not kill the
goose that lay the golden egg.” Well, in this case, biodiversity is the goose
that is laying the golden egg. We should not pursue its death rather we should
take action towards its conservation and preservation. To tackle the root causes
of biodiversity loss, we must give it higher priority in all areas of decision
making and in all economic sectors. We must apprehend that every choice we make
in our daily lives will leave ecological footprints and often unexpected
ramifications that we are unaware of.
Biodiversity is definitely
on the edge of the precipice and working for its preservation is a critical
task. To win the battle and save our planet’s biodiversity is not the sole
responsibility of the government. Let us individually and collectively seize
opportunities to save biodiversity for the sake of the current and coming generations
because I, you and we hold the future by responsibly preserving biodiversity!
**Christine C. Balili's official entry to the 7th HEDCOR Environmental Essay Writing Contest(December 2010) with coach Mrs. Christine Luz Boniao (Misamis Occidental National High School SY 2010-2011
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