What is Biodiversity and Why is it Important?

Biodiversity is an essential part of the solution to climate change. But what is it, and why is it so important? Understanding biodiversity — and its importance to the way the world functions every day — is one of the most empowering things we can learn as people who share this planet.

What Is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the term used to define the variety of life on Earth. The greater the biodiversity, the more secure life on earth is. Everything from the plants and animals that live here, to the habitats and climates in which they live, contributes to the biodiverse and rich planet we all call home.

In our constantly growing and changing world, however, there are a number of factors contributing to severe biodiversity loss, and an even greater number of effects spiralling from this decline.

Threats of Extinction

Did you know there are 8 million total animal and plant species on Earth, and that about one million of them face the threat of extinction? This isn't due to natural causes. Man-made pollution, greed, deforestation, overconsumption, poaching, and destructive land use are all contributing factors that have created a domino effect of soon-to-be irreversible changes.

Human activity has altered almost 75% of the earth's surface, squeezing plant and animal life into an ever smaller corner of the earth. Humanity must help stop the pace of wildlife extinctions through understanding why biodiversity should be conserved and acting upon this — or else face serious consequences for our own species, according to a growing body of scientific research.

Biodiversity for Human Survival

A key aspect of biodiversity that mankind often forgets is its own need for biodiversity in order to survive. We need biodiversity for food, medicine, habitat preservation and protection, and simply to exist on earth.

Although tens of thousands of plant species can be grown for food, just 12 crops supply 80% of the world's food supply. These include rice, wheat, soy, corn, and palm oil. Today, palm oil is used in everything from food products and cosmetics to cleaning detergents. This growing global demand means more pressure on farmers to clear native rainforests, affecting both native wildlife and local people through rapid biodiversity decline.

Biodiversity and Climate Change

Biodiversity is an essential part of the solution to climate change. Some ecosystems, like mangroves, not only house wildlife and prevent coastal erosion, but are also fantastic carbon sinks — areas that absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere. Nature alone can aid in reducing 30% of the carbon emissions needed to be cut by 2030 to prevent a climate catastrophe. We cannot solve climate change without protecting biodiversity.

How You Can Help

Each of us has the ability to make a huge difference in our everyday lives. Even small changes, multiplied by millions of people, create big change. Whether your activism comes in the form of properly disposing of your waste, choosing sustainable products, or writing to your local government to protect a natural area from development, each effort we make for our planet today creates another opportunity for our planet to thrive tomorrow.

One of the most important things we can protect is our pollinators. Bees pollinate nearly 90% of plant species and are essential to ensuring the consistent supply of more than 35% of the world's food. Protecting bees means protecting our food supply.

Here are some of the best ways to protect and conserve biodiversity starting in your own home and community:

• Plant local flowers, fruits, and vegetables to support native species.
• Learn about your neighbourhood's recycling and waste management programs and use them.
• Reduce single-use plastic wherever you can.
• Choose environmentally friendly cleaning products to keep toxic chemicals out of local waterways.
• Educate yourself and those around you — sharing knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we have.

By keeping up-to-date with new ways to help and sharing what you learn, you can be part of the change that keeps biodiversity thriving for generations to come.