Vol. 9 | No. 3 | Summer 2007
 |
Close to Home
How to Preserve Biodiversity |
We rely on countless plant and animal species for our food, clothing, and medicine. Ironically, this biological diversity is being threatened both directly and indirectly by our own actions. Habitat alteration and global warming are the primary causes of species loss.
The first step in stemming the tide of species loss is to conserve natural resources by purchasing and using materials only as we need them. Then, we need to ensure the items we do use have a low impact on biodiversity. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Keep Forests Healthy
Forests provide shelter for more than half of all land-based plant and animal species, with the majority concentrated in tropical areas. In addition, many of our most important medicines, such as anti-cancer drugs and antibiotics, are derived from tropical plants. Unfortunately, tropical forests are being cleared at an alarming rate—approximately 40 football fields’ worth each minute—putting thousands of species at risk of extinction. As trees are cut down, they also release carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming (see “Fuel for Thought” below).
While forests are not cleared for timber purposes only, you can help support better forestry practices by purchasing wood products that bear the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo. This indicates the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
Strengthen the Food Chain
Nature has its own system for keeping plants healthy and productive. Organisms in the soil break down organic matter such as leaves into nutrients and minerals, while birds and insects eat plant pests. Many chemical pesticides, however, upset this balance by killing both pests and beneficial soil organisms. What’s worse, they can be toxic to birds, insects, and other “pollinators” that are key to crop fertilization. Similarly, heavy use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers—the norm at most large-scale, industrialized farms—pollutes waterways and threatens aquatic life.
Buying organic and locally grown food can avoid these problems. Organic farmers grow crops without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and employ practices that build rather than deplete soil nutrients. Small local growers, even if not certified organic, are usually more eco-friendly than large industrial farms. Shipping produce shorter distances also translates into reduced energy use and less need for pesticides that prevent decay during transit.
You can also support biodiversity when dining out. Get in the habit of asking servers where food comes from and requesting organic items. Several seafood guides (including the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s online guide at www.seafoodwatch.org) can help you avoid depleted fish species.
Fuel for Thought
Powering our homes, businesses, and vehicles may seem unrelated to biodiversity, but the global warming that results from burning fossil fuels is one of the greatest dangers to species worldwide. Plant and animal species are often uniquely adapted to their regional climates; as a result, warmer temperatures, rising seas, and changes in precipitation will greatly alter—or even destroy—many natural habitats.
Driving a fuel-efficient vehicle, conserving electricity in your home, and purchasing “green power” from your utility are important steps you can take to reduce your contribution to global warming. For more information on consumer choice and biodiversity, visit the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation website at www.cbc.amnh.org.
Also in this issue of Earthwise:
Dialogue
Do food products from cloned animals pose a risk to human health?
