The Importance of Understanding Biodiversity
We often speak of the detrimental impact of climate change on individuals, communities, and businesses across the world. As climate change continues to endanger our future, sustainable business action and responsible individual decision-making are integral in creating sweeping positive change to preserve natural resources. However, all species of life face the threat of the climate crisis, and biodiversity loss is one of the primary ways we can measure the global impact of carbon emissions, deforestation, and more. In this article, we’ll discuss how biodiversity influences our everyday lives, and why we should care about protecting our natural world.
What is biodiversity loss?
Firstly, biodiversity literally refers to the diversity of biological life on Earth, describing the organisms and many ecological processes that are required to sustain life on our planet. As such, the loss of such an important part of our planet’s natural makeup can result in environmental damage that is often unseen by the human eye. Today, more than one million plant and animal species are now at risk of extinction, largely due to human impact. These impacts can be found all over the world, from the Savannas of Africa to the vast rainforests of South America. Whether it be from excessive farming, illegal poaching, rampant pollution, or the increase in global warming, fauna and flora feel the effects of human behavior. Even the transportation of invasive species to various parts of the world contributes to biodiversity loss, showcasing the fragility and importance of keeping our planet’s nature as untouched as possible.
Why does biodiversity matter?
Rich biodiversity directly contributes to the well-being of the planet. Examples include the Amazon rainforest absorbing CO2, the purification of drinking waters by natural wetlands, the production of medicines from tropical plants, and even the tourism brought to popular areas like the Caribbean and other tropical islands. In 2018, a study about biodiversity in the Americas quantified the monetary contribution of biodiversity to humankind to nearly $24 trillion.
Aside from what biodiversity can do for humans, there is inherent ethical importance to protect and preserve natural plants, animals, and resources. To bring extinction and drive species out of existence for human gain is arguably wrong, and working to use natural resources in a sustainable fashion must include awareness for greater natural ecosystems.
All in all, biodiversity brings a positive quality of life to humans, and in return, individuals, communities, and businesses need to approach the use of natural resources in a responsible way. To prevent further biodiversity loss, it is largely in the hands of major corporations and the decision-making privilege of company executives. As business heads, sustainability-thought leaders, and consumers, it is our responsibility to understand the importance of biodiversity and continue to push for the business landscape to make responsible decisions for our planet’s well-being.
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About RyeStrategy
Based in Seattle, RyeStrategy is a CDP-accredited, mission-oriented company specialized in carbon accounting, mitigation coaching, and climate disclosure solutions for organizations at any point in their sustainability journey. Learn how RyeStrategy helped Salesforce, Ideascale, and Wazoku achieve their sustainability goals.
From exhaustive carbon footprinting and mitigation coaching, to setting science-based targets and reporting climate data to CDP, SBTi or custom reporting platforms, RyeStrategy acts as a hands-on extension of the team, custom-tailoring services to fulfill climate disclosure requirements easily and accurately.
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