When I spoke last month to a group of environmentalists
who wanted to enlist 82 coral species to the Endangered Species List,
I spoke about upholding the Right to Biodiversity.
I stated something that environmental thinkers had never heard:
the Right to Biodiversity is a human right.
As a human right,
biodiversity upholds our very survival.
We simply don't know what would happen if we break
one particular link in the chain of species, allowing some species
to go extinct and possibly collapsing the whole chain of inter-necessity of life survival.
Thus, the Right to Biodiversity is a human right.
All species are interconnected in a tightly woven
interdependent network of life.
33 comments:
Breaking one link in the chain of species can cause a domino effect to the rest of the chain. It will not allow the biodiversity to function how it's created to. The inconsideration of people with no respect for the consequences it can cause are not only putting themselves in danger but, also the rest of us. If people do not educate themselves and changes the rate of species being Killed we will see the consequences throughout the planet and might lead humans to eventually be extinct.
JDF
Biodiversity would be connected not only to human rights, but also to human responsibilities. For humans should not only claim rights for themselves, but also, when we are exercising power over peoples' lives and environment. We have to take seriously our responsibilities regarding the natural world and responsibilities towards one another too.
JC
Biodiversity plays a vital part in our lives.
It boosts ecosystem productivity, where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play.For example, a larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops; greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms; and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters. And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to preserve the diversity in wildlife. The climate is changing. The earth is warming up, Climate chance, in my opinion, has been one of the greatest threats, with global warming on the increase and species and their habitats on the decrease. FP
We depend on biodiversity for survival. Saving endangered species from becoming extinct, and protecting their wild places is crucial for our health, and the future of our children. As we lose species we lose options for future discovery, and advancement. The impacts of biodiversity loss include clearly into fewer new medicines, greater vulnerability to natural disasters, and greater effects from global warming. JAP
Environmental problems we face today can be traced back to the increase in population in the world. The human population is at 6 billion; with an annual global growth rate of 1.8%, three more people are added to the earth every second. This represents an increase of almost 60% since 1970 and over 150% since the Second World War, (Miller, 1992). This may lead to a overharvesting and habitat degradation which in turns affects bio diversity negatively. We as humans are at the top of the food chain. We must ensure that balance amongst even the smallest set of species is maintained so as to ensure the cycle of life continues.
S.N
Some rights come with obligations, for example the right to vote. We have the right to choose our president, but also the obligation to do so. We have the right to biodiversity, but also the duty of protect it.
MS
Like the once great lion on pride rock sang, "It's the circle of life/ And it moves us all". We humans have to remind ourselves to step back and realize that everything we due to Earth will always affect us, on way or another. It's beyond a right; it’s become our duty to do our part as long as we all live on this planet. -LL
Yes, we have the right to biodiversity, although we do not appreciate it. It is sad to see how people kill animals as a sport, and continue to get rid of our wilderness to build more buildings. We need to understand that with a right, comes a responsibility. Thus, we have the duty of preservation. / A.R.
Biodiversity has always existed among people,plants,and animals. We are all connected as living organisms, all having the same origin, whether people believe it or not. Every organism has the right to exist but they cant always speak up against those wanting to remove them from their ecosystem. Removing 1 species from an ecosystem can throw it completely off balance. Naturally, animals depend on other organisms for their own survival, its just how its meant to be.
JB
It is extremely important to understand that our society is responsible for so many things besides our own lives. It is imperative for us to take better care of whatever species we have left and also look after the earth we inhabited. I agree with you when you mentioned how all species are interconnected into life's complex network. Being that everything and we're all connected makes it crucial for us to be aware.
-Michel Souza
It is important to know, that biodiversity is changing at a rapid speed. The rate of extinction is 100 times greater than the natural rate, and is all because of human activity. Creating protected areas where human activity is limited, preventing species introduction, educating and informing people, slowing climate changes and promoting sustainability, are some important ways in which humans can slow the loss of biodiversity. We should take care of biodiversity as we do our own body, being sick or not having an organ, prevents us to function properly, or just not function at all, and biodiversity is the same. Even though, the health of biodiversity seems not important for a lot of people, all living organisms in the world are critical to many aspects of human life. Protecting our biodiversity and teaching our children to also do so, guaranties
our existence.
Anay R
Some think that biodiversity is important biologically speaking. Maintaining biodiversity can help humans in food production, medical discoveries, and other substances that could have commercial value! A lot of people these days do not realize this.
-NAT
Breaking a link in a given food chain can be catastrophic to the balance of that particular ecosystem. This devastating result does not exclude humans, since they would be affected as well. For example, in the last 60 years, since 1950, Phytoplakton has had a dramatic decline of approximately 40%. Marine life sustains itself mainly by consuming Phytoplakton; therefore, this decline has affected the ocean’s ecosystem. This, in turn, has had serious consequences for human communities that live off of marine life, both as a source of income and as a source of protein. It is undeniable that this lack of food source will have negative effects on people’s health. Thus extreme responsibility and caution must be exercised when determining the “endangered” status of a particular species. ATM
I believe if we all have the right to compassion then we must have the right to biodiversity. One day, if we were in trouble of becoming extinct, I’d like to be rescued. I would like to think that I would rescue any weaker species that is endangered of being extinguished. I would treat people the way I would like to be treated should I ever be in that situation.
AJR.
Our lack of knowledge when it comes to biodiversity will lead us to be the direct cause of the extinction of many organisms, which will then affect our own survival. The Right to Biodiversity is, indeed, a human right. Without biodiversity, our own species, humans, might be at risk! Let's take into consideration marine plants, for instance. These plants, which many are unaware of, produce between 70 and 80 percent of the oxygen in the atmosphere. So, basically, over 70% of the oxygen we breathe comes from these small green algae. Quite incredible, isn't it? If we didn't have biodiversity, and these plants became extinct, life in our planet would be difficult, to say the least. Humans, however, do not seem to be considering this, and ignore the Right to Biodiversity on a daily basis. Let's try to keep the Right to Biodiversity existent. Do it for the animals, for the plants, for you, and for me.
AYS
Although we do not appreciate it, we have the right to biodiversity. It is sad to see how people kill animals as a sport, and continue to get rid of our wilderness to build more buildings. We need to understand that with a right, comes a responsibility. Thus, we have the duty of preservation. / A.R.
The human race has survived for quite some time now due to our ability to adapt. If a link is broken, either we fix it or replace it. We may be the cause of most of the environmental issues we are sustaining, however we have also tried, and are continually trying, to repair the damages we have made.
Mercy
Biodiversity is an important part of our cultural heritage and responsibility. All species depend on each other. Biodiversity increases ecosystem productivity; all of the species in that ecosystem, no matter their size, have a big role.Humans play a big part of harming our ecosystem. As humans we should take responsibility no matter how small.
KMATOS
I feel really bad for the rest of the species that surround us, because they are under our responsibility, and as humans we are one kind of specie that is interconnected with the whole ecosystem. The part I feel bad about is because if us as humans are killing our own species what future or what hope do the other animals, plants and all the chain of biodiversity can expect from us? I have been doing my part to protect our biodiversity by choosing to eat organic food. Organic farming reduces the lost of biodiversity, without pesticides it creates a safer place for wild life and surrounding area including fish, bees, ants, frogs, etc. Any lost of one of these species has a chain reaction and devastating lost of other animals and plants in the food chain. With small actions we can make a difference!
N.
I find it to be really unfortunate that we do not take the time to appreciate nature. We cannot even see the damage that we are causing these endangered lands being sold. I believe that they should definitely inform customer that are purchasing these land groups so we can preserve our environment. The IRC is doing a good thing by educating the Pine Rockland owners about preserving their land, because in Miami it’s not only about palm trees and beaches, but about the biodiversity we reside in, and with that are atmosphere is affected. Its our human right to live in a sustainable environment.
--EO
Biodiversity! Biodiversity! Yes we all ready know that each species plays an important role in life. Human fight to protect nature but the fact is that we are selfish and we are going to continue taking from the planet. When man don't have anymore to take, will probably invent an app for that. While ur looking at a wonderful natural spring waterfall, the man next to you is trying to figure out how to put it in a bottle and sell it.
JA
Sudden changes in the environment cause extinctions of several species, which in turn create an imbalance in the relations among other species. We have heard about previous mass extinctions such as the Permian–Triassic extinction or the Cretaceous extinction, but human beings haven't experience those devastating scenarios. Probably some of us are skeptical about if it going to happen again. Balance in nature ensure human sustainability that is why we must respect and consider other species' life as important as ours.
HA
It is sad that human beings do not realize the harm they cause to our enviroment. The Right to Biodiversity to me is about living together on this earth with every species that it has. What most humans do not understand is the that extinction is caused by humans and that means we are esentially killing our own planet.All the links in the chain of species that are living on this earth are needed one way or another. When break that"interconnected in a tightly woven interdependent network" even in the slightest or dramatically we cause harm. -K.V
Humans forget that without biodiversity our enviroment will not function the right way. We can pretty selfish at times and forget the balance we have to take care of, and that one day we might wish we should've taken care of our plants and animals more.
NDC
Biodiversity has great enemy, humans. We have lost connection with the essence of nature. Today, ambitions and the intent to growth up the economy without control are harming the habitat of innumerable species. We have been threatened by our actions against nature several times, a recent example, the almost extinction of bees due to insecticides decreased the fruits production in USA three years ago, this is an advance. Without doubts there will be more and it could be worst.
RC
There can be little doubt about the reality or seriousness of the threats that biodiversity and human rights are under due to the actions of humans. On the one hand, biological diversity is diminishing at an alarming rate owing largely to the predations of a profit-driven globalized economy. On the other hand, and notwithstanding global endorsement of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights over the past fifty years, 'man's inhumanity to man', and, we should add, 'to women and children', continues unabated in the atrocities we continue to witness of oppressive regimes and genocidal ethnic conflicts.
- IDO
Biodiversity is a responsibility that we all have as human beings, and it is something that we should gratefully help preserve. It should be viewed at giving something back to nature, and being thankful for all the great things we get from it. The environment, as time goes by, suffers a lot due to out mishandling, and if we don't start worrying about that we will regret it in the future.
GV
Killing one specific species can cause a chain reaction with extinction of species or possible collapsing of the whole chain of life on this planet. We have already started this chain reaction, but scientists have been trying to figure out different ways to at least balance this fragile chain of our life that we know. An example would be our Florida Panthers becoming Endangered and close to Extinction. They figured out that Mountain Lions are very close related to our Florida Panthers. They have released many of these Mountain Lions in our swamps and they have been producing with each other. So if one chain brakes we must find a way to mend this before we become Extinct as well.
-AC.
The right to biodiversity is hard to maintain. There are so many humans in the world that are reckless. Fish or any other sea creature is a perfect example. Europeans actually caught so many fish that they went extinct forcing them to actually head west and look for fish in the americas. It is very common for this to happen to just in America there are more then 38 million people who hunt and fish. It is very hard to monitor so we have to really work on our right to biodiversity.
KDP
Forget biodiversity being a human responsibility. It should be an instinct. Throughout history, humans have always played a role in the balance of life. We used to use only what we needed. Now our gluttony is rapidly endangering all lives including myself.
~LLSE
Forget biodiversity being a human responsibility. It should be an instinct. Throughout history, humans have always played a role in the balance of life. We used to use only what we needed. Now our gluttony is rapidly endangering all lives including myself.
~LLSE
A hundred years ago, if you had an inflammation of the pancreas or a nut allergy episode, your odds of surviving were very slim. Nowadays, these ailments as well as diabetes, and even a successful childbirth, are possible thanks to advances in modern medicine. More people survive and go on to pass their genetic material to their children, thereby increasing biodiversity.
Tolerance is something else to consider. It wasn't that long ago in American history that an entire race of humans was almost driven to extinction just so our predecessors can realize their dream of “manifest destiny.” So, it can be said that the right to biodiversity is already being realized, at least in the Western world.
Jo L Lo
As Eduardo Wilson stated, "It is reckless to suppose that biodiversity can be diminished indefinitely without threatening humanity itself". I think human beings, as the only rational specie, should have the responsibility to protect and ensure the survival not only of the biological species but also the habitat where they exist.
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