The Urgency of Biodiversity Preservation

The state of nature is alarming. We have to do something about it. Also because we need nature.

Keywords like “extinction of species” often appear in the media. No wonder, because the state of biological diversity is alarming. In Germany, a third of all species are endangered. 

Up to a million animal and plant species worldwide are threatened with extinction. Valuable habitats are at risk and so are their services for people. 

Humans are changing the entire planet

Up to a million species are threatened with extinction. Many of them could disappear in the next few decades.

A major cause is the activities of us humans.

The main causes of species extinction

The use of land and sea. For example, agriculture, the clearing of forests, growth of cities.

The direct use of animals and plants. For example, felling trees, fishing, and hunting.

Climate change. For example, because suitable habitats disappear or the composition of species changes.

Environmental pollution. For example through garbage or pollutants.

Introduction of so-called invasive species into foreign habitats. There they displace native animal and plant species.

Why do we need to protect the diversity of nature?

Every animal and plant species is important because many species depend on each other. The disappearance of individual species can endanger entire ecosystems. 

What does biodiversity mean?

The term biodiversity – or biological diversity – encompasses the variety of living organisms on earth. This includes species diversity, the diversity of ecosystems, and the differences within individual species. Because even living creatures that belong to the same species differ.

What is behind the “insect extinction”?

In recent years, the terms “death of bees” and “death of insects” have often appeared in the media. In many areas of the world, alarming losses of bees, butterflies, and other insects are being observed.

In everyday life, some insects are perceived as annoying. But if insects are missing, many plants are no longer pollinated.

How can we preserve biological diversity?

The most important measures include the establishment of protected areas and their networking, species protection, water protection, sustainable agriculture, the limitation of settlement and traffic areas, the reduction of nitrogen pollution, and climate protection.

What is politics doing?

Worldwide efforts are being made to protect biodiversity. The United Nations has made it a goal to stop the loss of species and habitats. This is laid down, among other things, in the so-called 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Since 1992, there has also been a global treaty for the protection of biological diversity, the so-called Biodiversity Convention.

The European Union has also made it a goal of its policy to protect biodiversity, as has Germany. Here, the former federal government adopted the National Strategy on Biological Diversity in 2007.

In recent times, biodiversity protection has played a particularly important role at the European level. In December 2019, the European Commission presented the so-called European Green Deal.

EU Presidency

Since July 2020, Germany has held the EU Presidency. The Federal Ministry for the Environment intends to use the German EU Presidency to further strengthen the protection of our nature and its diversity together with the European partner countries.

What can I do myself?

Every consumer can do something for the preservation of biodiversity. For example, by buying products marked with a sustainability seal. Buying organic products promotes organic farming, which contributes to the preservation of biodiversity.