Throughout the years, deforestation has destroyed ecosystems and made various species go extinct. However, through human action, this has become much worse. As of now there are approximately one million species of animals and plants that are at risk of extinction in the near future. Most major land habitats have seen a drastic reduction of almost 20% in their levels of biodiversity. Biodiversity is the amount of different species of plants and animals that we have, and the higher the level the better. With the human population rapidly increasing, activities like farming, fishing, mining, etc are causing further strain on the environment.
Loss of biodiversity is still accelerating through the year 2050 if we continue at current rates. Unless countries start to make some changes, these conditions will only worsen. Some may think that the lack of healthy ecosystems does not affect humans, and that it’s only bad for the animals and plants, but they are sadly mistaken. Humans are dependent on biodiversity because it connects with clean water and food security in both rich and poor countries. Some examples of the natural services that high levels of biodiversity provide are rain forests absorbing immense quantities of carbon dioxide (helping to slow the pace of global warming), wetlands purifying drinking water, as well as many medical components coming from a wide array of plants in high risk areas.
Just because these things do not personally affect you or the region you live in now does not mean it will not in the near future. The only way to preserve the earth is to make changes in your daily life, whether it be cutting out plastic, not littering, eating less meat or taking a shorter shower. While not intending to scare, this information should cause you worry. Without drastic action soon, the world in 50 years will look very different from the world today. Little by little, you are helping the earth and all the inhabitants of it. The real change starts with you.