Madelyn Hawes

Lack of biodiversity is an issue that is driving plant and animal species to disappear at an even faster rate due to human activity. Loss of biodiversity undermines the ability of ecosystems to function effectively. Change needs to occur now before it's too late. The points I will be highlighting include the change in land use, direct exploitation and pollution which are all causing today’s society to lack biodiversity.

The change in land use is an issue that has been ongoing for years. It is a major issue as soil and trees hold a significant amount of carbon. The change in land use is considered the greatest threat to nature having caused worldwide declines in the abundance, diversity and health of species and ecosystems. Land use change is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, principally from deforestation. There are projects that are ongoing in Victoria run by the government that has led to more than 10,000 trees being cut down. The major projects include the West Gate bridge tunnels, the Mordialloc freeway, the Metro tunnel rail line and the Caulfield to Dandenong level crossing removal. Even the trees that were marked to be ‘’saved’’ were removed by construction workers. They tried justifying removing so many trees by saying they will be replaced however this never happened. Land use has affected almost a third of world terrain since 1960. This needs to be changed and only can happen if everyone takes part in the change.

The direct exploitation of organisms and nonliving materials, including logging, hunting and overfishing is considered to be the most serious driver of biodiversity loss. For example, in the Brazilian Amazon studies by zoologist Carlos Reves indicate that hunting of vertebrates can kill approximately 23 million animals per year. A major challenge is determining whether and how fast our society should adopt sustainable management methods. If we take too long to realise the damage it will soon no longer be fixable. Consequently, the availability of natural resources such as food, clean air and other ecosystem services are adversely impacted and are becoming degraded. Destroying our land is killing our animals along with making it hard for humans to live. This issue has been largely ignored for years now we can’t just wait around and hope others will help out. We need to work together for change. 

Pollution including hazardous wastes and chemicals is widely accepted as one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. Different forms of pollution have various effects on species' environments. For instance, an oil spill has a sudden impact, whereas other pollutants like Microplastics have a more gradual effect. The WWF’s stats are showing an average of 68 per cent drop in mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibian pollution since 1970. Much of the loss is caused by habitat destruction due to unsustainable agriculture or logging. Pollution is leading biodiversity to decline in today’s society. We are all responsible for the land we live on.

The issue of lack of biodiversity needs attention as biodiversity is essential for the support of life on earth. Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms we cannot have a healthy ecosystem that we can rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat. Without biodiversity, our entire support system for human and animal life will collapse. We are responsible. Change is needed now.