28 July 2023 is World Nature Conservation Day, which is an important day dedicated to spreading awareness about the protection of biodiversity, and nature, to maintain a healthy environment.
And rightly so, as our planet is filled with a vast amount of natural assets that nourish us. From rivers, oceans, the sky, forests, and soil – all of which provide us with the food we eat, the air we breathe, as well as the water we drink and use to irrigate our crops. In fact, it is these natural resources that humanity relies on to live and for numerous goods and services that are beneficial to our health, prosperity, and overall wellbeing. As a result, the preservation of these assets is not only essential to the survival of humankind, but the millions of species that occupy the planet.
Unfortunately, though, the destruction of these resources continues at alarming rates.
Over the years, we have seen how the growing global population not only poses a threat to these resources, but the potential collapse of the environment. Think about it, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, as well improper waste management – have all contributed to the decay of our environment and biodiversity. As it stands, it is unclear what future generations will find, and what life will be like for them.
If we want to ensure that we leave some resources for future generations, nature conservation should be a priority.
So, what exactly is nature conservation, and why is it so important?
Simply put, nature conservation is the practice of saving the environment from the loss of species and the destruction of the ecosystem. Sounds simple, but the implications are critical for mankind, the environment, and all species that exist.
Here are some reasons why nature conservation is important:
To protect our planet from further damage.
Climate change is already harming our planet. In fact, in Southern Africa, climate change has resulted in extreme weather changes – think about the high temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns we are witnessing, all of which have accelerated water scarcity and increased the intensity of droughts and floods – not to mention the growing amount of pest infestations. At this point, the World Food Programme (WFP) predicts that approximately 30% of the entire SADC region will be exposed to various climate hazards by 2050 – that is just 27 years away. So why do we still think we have time to ‘fix’ things?
We need to act now and act fast. The adoption of the circular economy approach, as a means of managing our resources, is a good starting point. With the circular economy, waste is eliminated, products and materials are extended, and natural systems are regenerated, thereby contributing to biodiversity conservation. Essentially, it involves reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, and recycling products, as well as returning nutrients to nature, and regenerating natural resources.
The circular economy approach emulates nature as nature does not waste. We need to learn from nature, re-connect with it and place much greater value on the very resources that nourish us.
To mitigate the increasing extinction of wildlife species
Global warming is also altering or destroying habitats, reducing food sources for so many species and causing species-damaging severe weather events.
If we do not take the necessary steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, scientists have predicted that a third of the earth’s animal and plant species will be extinct by 2050, and up to 70% by the end of the century. This type of loss would disrupt ecosystems and ultimately lead to massive hardship for human society, worldwide.
Surely then, it is in the interest of all mankind, to act in the best interest of wildlife species with whom we share this planet?
To preserve human health
Human health and the health of our environment are indistinguishably linked. Not only are we fully dependent on nature for the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe – but the way we interact with nature, to maintain our collective health and avert disease, is also interlinked. So again, conservation of nature and human health can no longer be viewed as separate topics.
Therefore, as we commemorate World Nature Conservation Day, valuing our natural environment, protecting eco-systems, cleaning up our country and taking responsibility for our impact on the planet, should not merely be something we discuss, but something we act on. Not only will it take a mindset shift to go greener and manage the waste we produce, but it will take the collaborative efforts of the government, corporate South Africa, as well as households to ensure that waste is managed properly – through separating, sorting, recycling and re-purposing it. Only then can we conserve the environment we live in, making it a healthy place for us and future generations to occupy and thrive in.