Wednesday, November 6, 2024
HomeTechnologyWhy conservation of biodiversity is a question of survival of humanity?

Why conservation of biodiversity is a question of survival of humanity?

Representatives from 196 countries are currently meeting in Colombia. Because biodiversity is disappearing. No one wants that, but here’s a look at what could happen in the event of a mass extinction.

Since October 21, representatives of 196 countries have gathered in Cali (Colombia). But this is not to talk about climate and heat. No this time, it’s biodiversity that’s the focus of this 16th edition.e Biodiversity, COP16 Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Because scientists say that the situation is serious. The population is decreasing all over the world. And if we fail to reverse this trend, the consequences for humanity will be dire.

do you know

The term biodiversity refers to any living thing that evolves on our planet. Be it on land, in the sea, in the soil, in the city or in the countryside, and even in our intestines. Animals – including us humans -, plants, mushrooms. And also what we don’t see. Crowds of microorganisms. In total, about 2 million species are known to scientists to date. But researchers estimate there could be between 8 and 12 million more for the species alone. “visible”.

To better understand, we must remember that species have always gone extinct naturally. But today the extinction rate is 10 to 1000 times the natural rate. Since 1970, about 70 percent of vertebrate populations have disappeared. There On a large scaleOn a large scale Insects decrease by 2.5% per year. And in France alone, 30% of prairie birds have left in just 15 years. This is due to the destruction and artificialization of the environment, over-exploitation of resources, species trafficking, climate change, pollution, introduction of invasive species and, more indirectly, the growing human population, globalization and unfitness for the economic model. The exhaustible nature of the resource.

Biodiversity provides us with many services.

Now that the stage is set, let’s return to the question that haunts us: What if biodiversity collapses? come on The rise. First, note that we risk missing a walk in the woods. The less diverse a forest is, in fact, the more susceptible it is to disease and changes in its environment. It is more likely to disappear completely.

Biodiversity loss is therefore indeed a threat. EcosystemEcosystem completely. If plant species are reduced, soil erosion, landslides and more may be affected. FloodFlood. When something vegetarianvegetarian missing, LandsLands On which they become more susceptible to fire.

Without biodiversity, our choice of materials may also be limited. Because let’s not forget where BoisBoisbut also from cotton and wool and even some stones The ballsThe balls or skeletons of long-dead animals.

We need biodiversity to stay healthy.

But it seems almost nothing compared to other results that a to fallto fall of biodiversity. On our diet, first. Because biodiversity rhymes with diverse food. The example of pollination is undoubtedly the most famous. Insects, in fact, contribute to almost 80 percent of cultivated food production without compensation. But it is also a question of pest control or soil fertilization. Fewer insects and biodiversity also mean reduced agricultural production. More generally, the fewer different species an ecosystem has, the less efficient it is at producing nutrients that we can use.

Yet from a human health perspective, losing biodiversity means losing risk. Active ingredientsActive ingredients Precious in healing us. To take care of your animals too. It even risks accelerating the spread of infectious agents.

Loss of biodiversity also harms quality.the windthe wind and water. Because plants and more MicrobesMicrobes And MushroomsMushrooms Know how to filter pollution. But even more directly, because plants – incl AlgaeAlgae Marine – Produces the oxygen we breathe. That’s it.

Biodiversity and climate, the same fight

Seen this way, we can almost be sure that ultimately, we are at greater risk of losing biodiversity Global WarmingGlobal Warming. Above all, the two appear to be very closely related. Forests and oceans, for example, are known regulators of our climate. They absorb a portion of Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide (CO2) that we emit and that causes the temperature to rise. But loss of biodiversity has stopped this. Carbon sinkCarbon sink At risk, with the risk that the climate will warm further.

Make a visual commitment against global warming and biodiversity loss.

Scientists no longer hesitate to talk about a sixth mass extinction. of existential danger. And France has decided on a national biodiversity strategy to combat this decline in life by 2030. A plan that aims to consolidate the agreement adopted at the previous biodiversity COP and which provides, for example, for the protection of 30% of lands and oceans, the restoration and use of 30% of degraded ecosystems. I halved PesticidesPesticides. But France alone will not succeed. World representatives gathering at COP16 must step up to save biodiversity. vitessevitesse high

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments