In our previous article, Causes of Loss of Biodiversity, we dove into some of the main factors that take a huge toll on biodiversity, all of which are caused by humans. Even though a lot of damage has been done to our home by us, there is still a chance for us to save it. Here are a few things you can do to help it.
1. Save the Bees
Bees may be small but they have a huge impact on our environment, especially on preserving biodiversity. In their hunt for nectar or pollen, pollinators such as bees unknowingly deposit pollen that sticks to their bodies, from plant to plant, helping the plants’ reproduction. The plant pollination preserves the diversity of many food crops and medicinal plants. “Plants serve as the foundations of our ecosystems, and over 80% of flowering plants require pollination services” (wildlife.ca.gov). Bees are crucial for such an important task for sustaining our ecosystem, but sadly bees have been in danger as they are quickly dying off. A big threat to bees is not being able to find a safe environment for themselves, so we can help fix this issue by building safe bee boxes in your backyard. Additionally, you can plant nectar-producing plants so that the bees have a stable food source. Just make sure to avoid using pesticides and herbicides as they have a very harmful effect on bees’ bodies.
2. Water Preservation
Water is a necessity for all living things. Without it, we wouldn’t have the home we call Earth today. A big loss of freshwater in any area always leads to many animals dying off and species going extinct. A loss in freshwater directly leads to a loss of biodiversity which is why it is critical to preserve it. Unfortunately, agriculture and climate change are significantly altering water levels around the world, so we need to act fast. There are multiple ways to preserve water including turning off the faucet when it’s not in use, watering plants with excess water in water bottles, and taking shorter showers. Around the house you can fix leaks, use low flow shower heads and faucet aerators, run washing machines and dishwashers only when they’re full, and add dual flush conversion kits on your toilet to reduce their water usage. Most importantly, make sure to share your knowledge of water preservation with others.
3. Habitat Preservation
One of the main causes for the loss of biodiversity is habitat destruction. Habitat loss breaks apart ecosystems and causes several species to go extinct. To combat this, we must regulate habitat destruction by doing our best to preserve natural habitats. You can help by donating to organizations like NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Fisheries that aim to conserve habitats. “NOAA Fisheries conserves habitats to boost fish populations, recover threatened and endangered species, and support resilient coastal communities” (fisheries.noaa.gov). NOAA is just one of many habitat conservation organizations you can donate to. You can also work with your city council to implement programs that control invasive species, implement projects to restore degraded ecosystems, and help implement regulations to prevent harmful activities in secure areas like national parks, wildlife reserves, and more. With more people involved, we can make a greater impact, so you should also involve local communities in habitat conservation efforts.
4. Climate Change Mitigation
Day by day, climate change is causing temperatures to slowly rise. Rising temperatures force animals to have to relocate to locations in higher elevations and latitudes that may not have fulfilling ecosystems for them. This causes a significant decline in the world’s biodiversity, so it’s time we started taking efforts to reduce climate change’s impacts. Recycling is a good step towards mitigating climate change as not as many new materials have to be mined for, thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions. You also shouldn’t waste food. “According to UNEP’s (United Nations Environment Programme) Food Waste Index Report 2021, people globally waste 1 billion tonnes of food each year, which accounts for around 8-10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions” (unep.org). Instead of throwing away excess food, you can use it to make compost to fertilize plants. Some additional things you should do to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions are drive less, carpool, use renewable energy technology, plant trees, and consume less.
We all have the ability to make a change in our environment. Whether it be with a simple change of turning off the tap when it’s not in use, together we can make a huge impact and revert our home back to its flourishing self.
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