Biodiversity and Interdependence.

Let us understand what all Biodiversity includes. It includes all terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems including the environment in which they thrive. Biodiversity is intrinsic to the human ecosystem. It is so minutely woven that it forms a solid interdependence. Activist Matt Petronzio says that ‘The fewer animals we have, the fewer humans we will have'. It is difficult to realize and accept this fact but it is true. This also means that threats to biodiversity are subsequently threats to the human race. It is such an irony because almost all the threats to biodiversity are man-made.

On International Day for Biological Diversity, with the theme being "Sustainable Biodiversity for Sustainable Development," the Secretary of the United Nations emphasized on fact Sustainable Development requires preservation and protection of biodiversity. He said that it was essential for the current and future generations. He also declared that Biodiversity forms an important sustainable development goal and an urgent need of the hour.

At present, the planet's biodiversity is at great risk. Some of the biggest threats to biodiversity are as follows:

Climate Change - Changes in climate over the decades have caused a number of species to become extinct. One can call this a periodical process through which species become extinct, evolve and new ones are born. But the increase in the rate of climate change has deprived them of the time to adapt and many of the species are not able to cope causing them to die out.

Deforestation and loss of habitat - The loss of habitat of multiple species due to deforestation has resulted in their extinction. Loss of habitat has caused other problems like attacks by animals on human settlements and a resultant loss of property.

Invasive species - The introduction of non- native species can threaten the survival of naturally occurring species. Scientific experimentation done without taking necessary precautions prove to be dangerous to the existing species.

Other factors like over-exploitation, pollution, and nonsustaining development can also have an adverse effect on biodiversity. What we must understand is that in protecting the world's biodiversity, we are indirectly saving ourselves because we, humans, are more dependent on biodiversity than we think.