Today, May 22nd, we celebrate World Biodiversity Day, a moment to reflect on the richness of life on Earth and the many benefits it provides us.
Biodiversity is everywhere, and we, as living beings, are a part of it. However, over the past hundred years, we have been the ones putting it at risk. An example? Scientists estimate that human impact on all other life forms has accelerated the natural extinction rate of species by 100 to 1,000 times, triggering the sixth mass extinction.
This phenomenon is primarily caused by our past and present actions: habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources.
At the national level, the WWF report “Fragile Biodiversity, Handle with Care” estimates that 68% of Italian ecosystems are at risk, with 35% in critical danger. Additionally:
– 57% of rivers and 80% of lakes are in poor ecological condition.
– 30% of vertebrate species and 25% of marine animal species in the Mediterranean are at risk of extinction.
The loss of biodiversity is a true catastrophe: the air, water, food, clothing, and materials we use all depend on biodiversity—our very genes are biodiversity.
The world we live in is extraordinarily diverse, meant to be explored and understood to appreciate its beauty and significance. Halting the decline of our planet, especially in light of the recent flooding in Emilia-Romagna, is one of the most crucial actions we must all take.
Source: article by Valeria Pagani – 3BMETEO.
