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Biodiversity Hotspots Article
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What The Loss Of Biodiversity Really Means To Us
from:There has been a rapid loss of biodiversity due to the huge increase in populations and the ongoing consumption of natural resources to support those increased numbers of people. This has caused a vast depletion and/or loss of the goods and services on which we depend for sustenance.
There are many reasons the loss of biodiversity occurs. Some are natural, such as changes in climate. Others, such as deforestation or the contamination of lakes, are caused by humans.
The economic context of civilization, with its ill-thought-out policies, its squabbles over land, water and air rights, and the use and abuse of the resources we have is the largest culprit, although there is some degree of loss due to nature itself. Even a country like the United States has no unified policy, just a hodgepodge of Federal and local restrictions which often conflict with themselves and each other. Agencies fight literal turf wars to have their pet projects approved, and projects of other agencies defeated. The boondoggles and delays only further the loss of biodiversity, by preventing funds from being allocated and actions being taken that would combat the destruction of precious natural resources.
Greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major source of global warming are a prime cause of the loss of biodiversity. Global warming is expected to contribute to the earth eventually becoming uninhabitable by most of the species of plants and animals that now exist. Already, the polar ice caps are beginning to melt, with accompanying rises in sea levels. Concurrently, smaller inland seas, such as the Aral Sea, are evaporating due to changes in atmospheric temperature, seepage from irrigation channels, and changes in the composition of the water itself, which destroy the life they formerly supported.
Another facet of the problem is that, aside from environmental groups and the government agencies they prod into action, many people have very little awareness of the impact they make on biodiversity. Yes, recycling has been made into law in many places, but there are other actions people can choose, which they can turn into habits fairly quickly, that would go a long way to preserving resources and energy. Taking shorter showers, using a plain old fan or a ceiling fan instead of air-conditioning when possible, bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store, riding a bike instead of driving for local errands – all of these contribute to preserving the resources we depend on.
In the long-run, loss of biodiversity will be much more costly to both the planet and the human race than the short-term loss of profits needed to implement measures to preserve it.
Biodiversity Hotspots News
Language Diversity Is Highest in Biodiversity Hotspots - Huffington Post (blog)
Language Diversity Is Highest in Biodiversity Hotspots Huffington Post (blog) We looked to see how these were distributed globally, especially in relation to the highest priority areas for terrestrial biodiversity -- the 35 biodiversity hotspots and the five high biodiversity wilderness areas that have been central to CI's ... |
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve - San Diego Reader
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve San Diego Reader These varied ecosystems in turn foster an incredible amount of plant and animal diversity and are a large reason why San Diego and much of Southern California are world-famous “biodiversity hotspots.” Several of these habitat types are easily explored ... |
'Hot spot' languages are in danger, too - Futurity: Research News
 Daily Mail | 'Hot spot' languages are in danger, too Futurity: Research News In terms of biodiversity conservation, all bets are off." (Credit: iStockphoto) PENN STATE (US) — Biodiversity hot spots are some of the most linguistically diverse regions on the planet, accounting for 70 percent of all languages on Earth. Endangered Species, Languages Linked at High Biodiversity Regions CORDIS - Study finds link between languages and high biodiversity regions Most of World's Languages Face Extinction |
Biodiversity could be casualty of Myanmar openness - Seattle Post Intelligencer
Biodiversity could be casualty of Myanmar openness Seattle Post Intelligencer Positioned at the core of one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots, Myanmar is endowed with plant and animal life of the flanking Himalayas, Malay peninsula, Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia. Photo: Indo-Myanmar Conservation, ... |
Study links biodiversity and language loss - BBC News
 BBC News | Study links biodiversity and language loss BBC News The authors said that 70% of the world's languages were found within the planet's biodiversity hotspots. Data showed that as these important environmental areas were degraded over time, cultures and languages in the area were also being lost. |