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What are you doing for the International Year of Biodiversity?

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. Intended as a celebration of biological diversity and its value for life on Earth, this year-long celebration aims to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity for all of Earth’s inhabitants.

Biological diversity refers not only to every species of plant, animal, fish, insect or bird, it also refers to the systems and interactions between those species and their natural habitats. Any disturbance to those systems affects not only that system, but others that interact with it as well.

Due to population and species loss in animals, the replacement of naturally diverse vegetation by monocrop farming, deforestation and habitat encroachment, biodiversity is under threat around the world. While climate change is a contributing factor to biodiversity loss, the deterioration of habitats and loss of biodiversity also worsen climate change.

Fighting global warming is a responsibility we can all share. By protecting our plants and animals and their habitats, we contribute to preserving the biodiversity of our planet – on which we, as humans, depend.

What can you do?

• Reduce, reuse and recycle.

• Save water, energy and fuel.

• Remove invasive species from your garden so they do not spread.

• Plant an indigenous, water-wise garden.

• Support wildlife conservation, either with donations or time spent volunteering.

• Support local initiatives such as river clean ups or wetland restoration. • Preserve or restore the habitats where species live.

• Report pollution – water, soil and air pollution are major threats to biodiversity.

• Support sustainable development and the products of these initiatives.

• Use renewable energy sources where possible.

• Create insect, bird and wildlife friendly gardens – build a pond, build bird and bat boxes, and plant wildflowers.

• Grow your own vegetables.

• Buy environmentally-friendly products, particularly pesticides and household cleaning materials.

• Don’t buy hardwood products from unsustainable sources.

• Visit local nature reserves – your entrance fee makes a difference.

• Teach your children to appreciate the biodiversity of our Earth, from their own backyard to the ocean and beyond.

Any change to the dynamics of an ecosystem, changes not only that system but other systems that interact with it.

Act now to make sure your children and their children can enjoy nature at its very best.