(May)

Biodiversity is a term used to describe the variety of natural ecosystems and the number of species that inhabit these ecosystems. Biodiversity is essential to human health and wellness, the planet sustains us. We are destroying ecosystem services at an alarming rate, threatening us with extinction. Deforestation, harmful fishing practices, pollution and overfishing are major contributors to the loss of biodiversity. We can slow this trend by protecting ecosystems and the species within them.

Biodiversity is essential for human survival as it provides us with food, water, energy and habitat. We use 97% of known bio resources; we also use bio resources we have not yet discovered. Biodiversity supports both human cultures and economic activities; it fuels our technology advancements and gives us rich emotions. It is important to understand that all lifeforms are interconnected; they support each other by regulating climate, controlling soil fertility and carrying nutrients from one place to another. The loss of any species affects entire ecosystems; entire regions can become hostile to humans due to degradation or loss of their natural flora and fauna. In addition, we must acknowledge that humans have a major role in depleting biodiversity; this includes hunting species for food or trophy items or introducing invasive species such as rats in international travel areas.