There is a chorus of news coming out regarding the disappearance of many animal species. We are seeing, among other things, the rapid decline of various bird species, the unsustainability of many fisheries, colony collapse disorder in bees. How does this affect human populations?
The answer is that loss of biodiversity affects humans in so many unpredictable ways that we can't even pretend to fully understand it. Nevertheless, we try to understand it and, not surprisingly, the outlook is bleak. Here are a few examples:
First, as we have all heard by now, I hope, bees pollinate a large portion of our food supply. For over a decade, as a result of the decline of wild bee populations, many farmers use commercially released bees to pollinate their crops. Without those bees available, its not clear exactly how we would pollinate food.
Second, birds help in the process of decomposition, pollination and seed dispersal. Most birds eat large amounts of insects, which may affect plant species survival. In fact, biologists attribute the loss of carrier pigeons to a substantial increase in Lyme disease. Didn't see that one coming, did you?
Finally, fish provide an incredibly rich source of food, economic industry and recreational enjoyment. The current biological consensus is that fish species, that is, ALL currently fished species will experience a TOTAL population collapse by 2048 if current trends continue! That bit of news is....troubling, to say the least.
It sure makes you hope we, humans, know what we are doing.
4 comments:
This is a particularly important post on our summer solstice. Summer solstice makes one think of the earth and the strange ways it speaks to us. And we are speaking to it by completely forgoing our responsibility to it. Great post, dude. Al Gore for President?
what will it take for people to reduce their impact on the earth??? or at least start to be aware.
philasurfer, great posts... have you heard of this film, manufactured landscapes?
http://www.filmforum.org/films/manufactured.html#
"MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES begins as a portrait of acclaimed Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky, who specializes in large-scale images of vast industrial landscapes. It quickly develops into a meditation on the human and environmental costs of the permanent and profound changes our planet is experiencing. Focusing on Burtynsky’s images of China as it undergoes an unprecedented transformation into a 21st century powerhouse, the film’s surface is beautiful, its implications frightening. Largely shot by Peter Mettler, it captures a brave new world that manages to be both luscious and unutterably repellent, often simultaneously."
Great post, man.
I just thought I would bring up, on this Summer Solstice in the US and winter here in brazil, the power that we all have to make change. My great-uncle, who is resting in peace, these days, was Paul Schaefer. He worked with the NYS government many years ago to pass the Adirondack Wilderness act, or Forever Wild. This law, in essence, created the Adirondack State National Park, where I go every year, and have goe, since I was born. Every time I go there, I realize what could go away if we, as a country, and as citizens.
I wish i had known my uncle better. He was so driven in his fight for nature in New York State, and he saved that wilderness for me and my children. We can all do something to save this Earth of ours. It just means starting.
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