Impacts of Biodiversity Loss PDF

IMPACTS OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS Humans greatly benefit from the environment and the planet's biodiversity. Biodiversity provides humans resources such as water, food, and medicine. Edward O. Wilson, an American evolutionary biologist, predicted that the planet loses approximately 27,000 species per y...

IMPACTS OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS Humans greatly benefit from the environment and the planet's biodiversity. Biodiversity provides humans resources such as water, food, and medicine. Edward O. Wilson, an American evolutionary biologist, predicted that the planet loses approximately 27,000 species per year. He based his estimate on the rapid disappearance of ecosystems and destruction of biomes, particularly tropical forests and grasslands. The majority of the past five mass extinctions that happened were brought about by catastrophic events and physical disasters. Wilson and many other biologists believe that the next mass extinction will not result from a physical disaster but from the disruption and destruction of the ecosystem caused by the human race. The human exploitation of the Earth and its resources by humans poses a greater danger than past catastrophic physical disasters. The primary cause of environmental degradation is the increase in human population. Humans harnes products from the environment to survive. Overpopulation shich is associated with industrialization and agriculture, mining, fishing, deforestation, environmental pollution, and exploitation of biodiversity leads to the destruction of habitats. The introduction of exotic species, poaching of wildlife, and technological developments are also causes of biodiversity loss because these activities interfere with the natural order of existing ecosystems. The decrease in forest cover around the world is also a catalyst in biodiversity loss. The development of technology has positive and negative effects on biodiversity and society. From the agricultural revolution to the present, technology has played a role in the changes happening to ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity. Forests were cleared to give way to build different infrastructures. legal logging proliferated because of the value seen in timber in the construction of buildings and furniture and also for cooking and heating. Trees, as the stopgap of carbon dioxide, keep and hold as much carbon dioxide as they can. When trees are cut, carbon dioxide is sent back to the atmosphere, thus increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the environment. Pollutants created by the clearing of forest covers include dung from grazing animals and fertilizers from farms that contaminate the water, soil, and atmosphere. Factories and industrial plants release greenhouse gases, nitrogen, sulfur oxides, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, arsenic, lead, and formaldehyde. Biodiversity loss can also contribute to climate change, pest infestations, and diseases. Intensive agriculture and mining provide and produce more goods for economic growth; however, these activities may damage the environment because of chemical pollution and eutrophication. The 14th World Congress of Public Health held in India in 2015 emphasized the relationship between human health and biodiversity. According to the report "Connecting Global Priorities: Biodiversity and Human Health," protecting animals, plants, and ecosystems means protecting humanity's health. Biodiversity is a source of food, medicine, energy, and nutrients. It provides humans the resources in order to survive any disruption or destruction in the Earth's biodiversity will also affect the life and health of the people. In 2010, the Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020" with 20 global targets known as Aichi Biodiversity Targets- national and international efforts to conserve biodiversity. Aichi focuses on how the ecosystem contributes to health and well-being. It gives opportunities to improve both global and human health, as well as ecosystem health. The COP made a decision to further strengthen its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations to uphold biodiversity issues in plans and health programs. The prevailing loss of biodiversity may pose great consequences and prevent the achievement of sustainable development goals and targets, particularly those related to poverty, hunger, and health. The decrease in biodiversity and environmental degradation make improvised communities vulnerable to illnesses and natural disasters. It also reduces options for sustainable development. Human health depends on the availability of resources from the ecosystem such as water and food necessary for humans to be healthy. Changes in the ecosystem will also change livelihood, income, economy, politics, social relations, and the availability of medicine and health services. Threats to biodiversity and health The destruction of the environment may also cause mental distress among humans. Depression and emotional stress may be cise by the destruction of property, habitat, and the surrounding landscape. Pollution can adversely affect one's physical health and well-being. The Oposa v. Factoran is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the Philippines that recognizes the doctrine of intergenerational responsibility on the environment. It was filed by minors, who, through their parents, sought to make DENR Secretary Fulgencio Factoran Jr. cancel all existing timber licensing agreements (TLA) in the Philippines and cease reception, acceptance, renewal, processing, or appraisal of new TLAs. Factoran argued that there is a regulation on the issuance of the timber agreement. He also stated that the plaintiff cannot file a case that includes minors and children yet unborn since they are not of legal age. The Court did not agree with Factoran, It stressed that while the right to a balanced and healthful ecology found in the Declaration of Principles and State Policies and not under the Bill of Rights, it should not be taken that such right is less important than any of the civil and political rights in the latter. It stated that the right is linked to the constitutional right to health, so it is fundamental, constitutional, self-executing, and judicially enforceable. Therefore, such a right imposes the correlative duty to refrain from impairing the environment and implies, among other things, the judicious management and conservation of the country's forests. The Court sided with the petitioners and declared that the petitioners were able to file a class suit both for their generations and generations to come because the minors' assertion of their right to a sound environment comes with the obligation to ensure the protection of the rights of those yet to be born. PRESSURES TO BIODIVERSITY The Philippines is considered to be a biodiversity hotspot. However, while it boasts of high biodiversity and endemism, it also experiences high rates of extinction and environmental collapse. Following are several factors that put pressure on biodiversity locally and globally. 1. Habitat destruction. Alteration or complete destruction of natural habitats is a major factor that impacts biodiversity. The way humans rapidly alter the ecosystem can decrease species diversity and may cause species extinction. For example, the continuous logging and conversion of forests may decrease the number of species thriving in the area. Deforestation results in the loss of natural habitats of birds, mammals, and other vertebrates. Coastal developments geared for tourism result in destruction of marine life. 2. Invasive alien species. Alien species are non-natural or exotic species that are not native in a particular area. The introduction of non-indigenous species to an area can cause species diversity to decline, as these species are often invasive and compete for resources such as food and space. They are often characterized with high reproductive rates and may outnumber natural and endemic species. 3. High population density and growth rates. The continuous increase in human population increases the demand for food supply and resources. The conversion of land for food production and human habitation causes biodiversity loss. Products and services from natural ecosystems may be exploited. 4. Climate change. Climate change is the direct and dominant driver of biodiversity loss. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, 50% of Asia's coral reefs are at risk because of climate change. ASEAN countries are predicted to be the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. 5. Illegal wildlife trade. According to ASEAN-WEN (Wildlife Enforcement Network), 100 million animals are being hunted for their meat. Illegal wildlife trade which directly reduces biodiversity is valued at $10 to 20 billion. 6. Deficiencies in the knowledge on biodiversity. Public awareness and education on the importance of biodiversity are necessary to conserve it. Raising consciousness among individuals and communities may help in addressing threats to the Earth's biodiversity and improving natural ecosystems. 7. Inadequate enforcement of environmental laws and poor political will. Regulations, policies, and laws have been enacted to preserve the environment; however, they are not properly enforced. 8. Failure to put value on the environment. According to the study The Value of the World's Ecosystem Services and Natural Capita published in Nature in 1997, the value of ecosystem services amount to $33 trillion per year, and majority of the value of these services is outside the market system.