Biodiversity: A Solution to the Climate Crisis

Hi Friends! I’m back with another important topic to discuss, Biodiversity. I hope to share today what Biodiversity is and why it’s important. I also want to show how biodiversity can help with the climate crisis.

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I learned about biodiversity in my undergraduate but it was taught more as a fact. It was never taught as a solution. I recently read a book called, The Nature of Nature by Enric Sala that changed my perspective on this. Sala writes about how he has noticed the effects of biodiversity throughout his career and the places he has lived. 

So, what is biodiversity? Biodiversity is variation. Different groups, species, or types live in an ecosystem. Each aids or brings something different to the dynamic area. Biodiversity is important, as I’ll share more, because differences matter. Let’s show examples of this in animals, vegetation, and people. 

How is biodiversity good for animals?  Let’s look at coral reefs. Corals are the basis of coral reefs but if they grow too much this can cause crowding issues. Parrot fish love munching on corals thus helping control growth. These nooks and crannies are refuges for other smaller fish. Smaller fish like cleaner fish, fish that groom other fish of parasites, help clean larger fish. More fish brings in sharks to help with the population of the fish. Too much predation could collapse the ecosystem. Sharks keep numbers in check. A healthy coral reef is a diverse one. 

In vegetation biodiversity matters as well. When you think of our current agricultural style it is mainly monocrops. A single crop in large areas. These crops often have to be sprayed with pesticides because of disease and parasitic bugs. Sala and Robin Wall Kimmerer, the author of Braiding Sweetgrass, both explain how diversity in plants and crops matters. In her beautifully written book, Kimmerer speaks about how indigenous people knew how to plant diverse crops together. In her book, there is a chapter called The Three Sisters. It is how beans, corn, and squash are grown together. Each one helps the other whether that be casting shading, protecting from, disease, or providing nutrients in the soil. With each there, the crops flourish and grow. We see here that different types of crops work together to create a biodiverse area. 

How does this apply to us, humans? Is biodiversity good for communities? The answer is yes. Diverse communities show more resilience and are usually more lively and joyful. Communities of diversity thrive on new perspectives learning new things from each other.  I know this is true in my life. When my group of people came from different backgrounds, ages, and walks of life I learned so much more. They saw things I didn’t. They encouraged me in new ways. We all bring gifts and talents that help the community serve others. 

How does all of this help the current climate crisis? Well if we applied diversity to landscapes that are monoculture we would see more wildlife return. We would so more protective landscapes to help with natural disasters. We would help more animals and landscapes absorb more carbon dioxide. This would love our atmospheric carbon in turn turn down the thermometer on our planet. We would see communities healthier with more diverse foods. What can you and I do to take action on this issue? Well sharing this blog so others can learn more with this is important. Call on local officials to diversify your local area. Sign petitions that are calling on governments to do this. Let’s do this together!

I hope this blog was helpful to you! Please share with your family and friends!