Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth or in a particular environment, starting from amoebas and bacteria up to the forms of plant and animal life. Such wealth is indispensable because it involves the creation of ecosystems resistant to various types of threats, such as climate change, habitat destruction and pollution. Since the existence of human beings depends on these ecosystems, it is necessary to protect the biodiversity of the planet. You can help protect it by changing your personal habits, volunteering and advocating for the adoption of standards that advocate biological differentiation and coexistence of all living species on a large scale.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Lower your consumption
Products intended for food consumption, daily care, reading, leisure and entertainment require the use of energies that are inevitably subtracted from biodiversity. The consumption or use of a resource in industrial production can affect the local ecosystem in various ways, for example it destroys the natural habitat (to make room for crops), pollutes the ecosystem (through oil spills) or impoverishes the environment. territory (through deforestation to produce paper), compromising the biodiversity of an area. By reducing consumption, it is possible to contain negative effects on the environment.
Step 2. Eat organic food
Even if organic products and foods still require the use of natural resources, they are less aggressive in terms of environmental impact, as they do not pollute the territory with pesticides. Furthermore, the use of pesticides kills insects, exterminating entire species over time.
Step 3. Buy Fair Trade Products
Although the main objective of fair trade is to ensure that producers from other countries are paid fairly, this sector of the market helps protect local ecosystems, partly encouraging sustainable agriculture. Look for the "fair trade" or "fair trade" label on the packaging.
Step 4. Use less energy
Energy exploitation affects ecosystems as much as industrial and food production. For example, drilling into the marine subsoil can destroy fish fauna and lead to oil spills. Try to reduce energy consumption by turning off lights and electronic devices when you don't need them, running the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full, using the car less frequently and reducing the use of air conditioning and heating.
- You can replace old appliances with energy efficient appliances - look for the "Energy Star" label. Furthermore, you can preserve their functionality by using them correctly and changing the parts to be replaced as needed, such as filters.
- Solar panels are another solution that allows you to limit dependence on non-renewable energy sources. To meet the electricity consumption in the home, you can have them installed on the roof or in the garden.
- In addition to reducing the waste of natural resources, using less energy will help reduce emissions that cause changes in the climate and ecosystem, damaging biodiversity.
- To get to work, get into the habit of sharing your car or using public transport to reduce energy consumption.
Step 5. Look at the packaging of the products you purchase and check if they are "eco-sustainable"
Energy labeling that informs users about the energy consumption of household appliances (from class A to G), the Ecolabel (the symbol of the stylized daisy with the "E" of Europe in the center) which guarantees a reduced environmental impact at every stage of the life cycle of a product, the "Green Seal" brand that ensures compliance with requirements deemed significant for reducing the environmental impact and other labels concerning the performance of products and services allow us to know if what we buy is eco-sustainable.
Step 6. Don't buy souvenirs made from bone, fur and leather
If you don't know the origin of the products you buy during the holidays, especially abroad, you risk encouraging poaching.
Step 7. Grow native plant species in your garden
Non-native plant species can be invasive and destroy native ones, decreasing their population. Furthermore, they can spread to other areas through the action of the wind and animals.
- The advantage of native plant species is that they are better suited to occupy the territory in which they originated and evolved. For example, if you live in an arid or hot climate, you won't be forced to water your plants continuously if they belong to native species.
- Another solution for the garden is to create the typical landscape of the local flora in order to create a favorable environment for the reproduction of the animal species that populate the place.
Step 8. Do not leave garbage in illegal landfills and do not pollute
You could damage wildlife by reducing their biodiversity.
Step 9. Recycle
By reusing materials, you will help protect natural resources and preserve biodiversity, as noted above. In addition, you will limit the accumulation of garbage in landfills, which damages the environment through leachate and the decomposition of waste. Anything that ruins the environment and ecosystems harms biodiversity. In most municipalities there are programs for waste recycling, such as separate collection, thanks to which it is possible to divide recyclable products from other waste, placing them in special separate containers. In addition, you can recycle paper and cardboard, plastics, glass, cans and metal objects. In some places, waste recycling does not include polystyrene.
- If you want an item to be recycled, clean it up a bit before putting it in the trash. In some cities it is necessary to separate the materials to be recovered in several bins.
- You can also make compost with organic waste. Composting is a process that transforms organic material into fertilizer to be used in the garden. Try combining bits of wood, leaves, and grass clippings with leftover fruit and vegetables. Create a compost heap. Bury it under more compost and wet it if you add dry waste.
- You can also recycle computer components. These appliances contain precious metals which, when thrown away, can disperse chemicals in landfills, damaging the ecosystem. In most cities there are ecological islands that collect computer pieces, even if you have to take them to the appropriate collection points.
Step 10. Sort out the hazardous waste
Cleaning chemicals, pesticides, paints and piles that end up in landfills can contaminate soil and groundwater. Use less harmful products and follow the toxic waste disposal plan provided in your municipality of residence.
Part 2 of 3: Volunteering
Step 1. Help grow native plants
You can protect biodiversity by planting native species in local parks and nature reserves, under the supervision of facility managers.
Step 2. Patrol the nature reserves
Protected areas, such as natural parks, help preserve biodiversity. By offering to patrol these areas, you can help forest rangers contain violations, such as pollution and illegal landfills.
Step 3. Collect the trash
There is also no need to contact the authorities. When you are in a park or protected area, pick up the litter you see around. Garbage can be dangerous and even lethal to animals and pollute water systems. So, by contributing to garbage collection, you will help preserve biodiversity.
Step 4. Clean the waterways
There are many organizations that unite volunteers for the cleaning of waterways. In this way, it is possible to help the development of the local flora and fauna.
Step 5. Raise awareness
Use social networks to spread awareness of environmental issues. Provide information on the most effective ways to protect biodiversity.
Step 6. Organize a workplace campaign
A large amount of resources are invested in the production of office supplies and the waste that results from the use of these items can promote pollution. Encourage your colleagues to decrease their use of stationery supplies and ask your manager if greener solutions can be adopted.
Part 3 of 3: Commit to Extending Biodiversity Protection
Step 1. Support activist groups
Legambiente, WWF and other organizations, such as ANTA (National Association for the Protection of the Environment) and the Onlus Cetacean Studies Center, are concerned with the protection of the environment and biodiversity. You can support them by getting involved in their businesses or by donating money to them.
Many of these organizations operate nationwide in advocating the adoption of environmental laws
Step 2. Fight against projects and companies that damage wildlife and natural habitats
By now large companies have assumed a more responsible behavior thanks to the people who denounce the practices of depletion of environmental resources. Use your voice to dispute and your money to buy other products if you disagree with certain company policies.
Also, give your opinion if you are against projects that in some way harm the local ecosystem and are supported by administrations or the industrial sector. You can write letters, call or organize a protest
Step 3. Call the politicians you voted for
Be clear that you want them to support environmental laws and regulations. Do not hesitate to contact city councilors, deputies and senators. Reach out to all levels of government to advance your cause.
Regulations that preserve biodiversity also defend the environment. They should determine which species are threatened and indicate solutions to protect them. In addition, they should protect protected areas and designate the creation of new nature reserves, set up committees that can understand what can harm the environment and that have the power to take action or propose measures to stop such violations. In addition, they must limit the import of potentially invasive alien species, and condemn behaviors that damage the environment, especially by companies
Step 4. Apply
If you don't see many changes taking place, you can make your contribution by running for election and engaging in the development of laws and regulations that respect the environment and biodiversity.
