‘We have not finished exploring the beauty
of our planet’s biological diversity, nor have we fully gauged its role in
humanity’s well-being and survival – yet we have begun to destroy it.’
Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
As we go
through today I wonder how many people are aware that it is International Day for Biological Diversity.
With all the other pressing problems we face it is easy to forget that
biodiversity loss is one the biggest issues of our time and we ignore it at our
peril.
‘So far, our
growing concern has focused on the level of CO2 in the atmosphere, and the
associated changes in climate that directly affect us, such as reduced crop
yields and rising sea levels. There are far more serious issues that are not
given the attention they deserve. These range from slowly rising levels of
background radiation from our nuclear activities, and the gradual poisoning of
the oceans, to the loss of biodiversity and destruction of natural habitats’ (McManners
2009: Page 60).
‘We can be
sure, using advanced measurement and imaging technology that we can record
accurately the world we now have. There are growing archives of satellite
imagery, photographs, film and video. Our descendents should be able to view
the Earth as it used to be, with a vast reservoir of biodiversity in the
rainforests and oceans. Whether we will have any live examples of nature to
accompany the archives depends on what we do now’ (McManners 2009: Page 203).
The question
is whether we allow the steamroller of human progress to crush all before it or
invite nature back into our lives to enjoy its bounty and marvel in its
diversity. For my part, I would like to work with nature, use its services and
ensure we keep the biodiversity that we will need for a safe and vibrant
future.
McManners,
P.J. 2009. Victim of Success:
Civilization at Risk, Susta Press, UK.
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