Save the Mother Earth by keeping biodiversity & ecosystem

WHATEVER the religious scriptures depict, man as a species of living beings constitutes a negligible part of the earth's biota. Yet, having overwhelming intelligence and capacity to mould nature, he has done much harm to the environment that nurtures all of them with motherly affection. In essence, we -- the humans -- have been a destructive species that has caused irreparable damage to mother nature just for rapid production of our utilities and to lead an easier and rather lavish life. 

However, after axing our own feet, we could realize that such destructive activities have harmed our own well-being, and have started crying for sustainable development using as much renewable energy as possible, reducing carbon emission to avert or at least minimise green-house effect and global warming that are contributing largely to melting of ice caps, sea level rise and unforeseen climate changes. 

There were four major organised international efforts at sustainable development to retain the natural biodiversity as much as possible in the ecosystems. The first one was held in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly in Stockholm on the issue of Human Environment. On the same platform, one more resolution was adopted, which gave birth to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). That Stockholm conference decided to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5 every year.

World Environment Day (WED) is the main weapon of the United Nations to make people aware of the worldwide environmental degradation, and to attract the attention and action of various political sources and human resources. Now over 100 nations around the globe celebrate this event. Every year, the UNEP coins a theme and its central program is arranged in a specific place. This year's theme was “Biodiversity -- ecosystems management and the green economy” and the venue Pittsburgh.

At the state levels, various resolutions and pledges are taken by prime ministers, chief ministers and ministers for environment on WED. They make commitments to take care of the world environment. The pledges are then established as the basis of environmental management and economic planning dealt with by the government.

In Bangladesh, the first and foremost state program is the seasonal tree plantation campaign that is inaugurated by none other than the head of the government. This is usually done on June 1, four days before the international WED. Our ministry concerned also arranges street rallies on the scheduled day. Furthermore, we also arrange essay and poster competitions in schools, while the clean-up campaigns are usually arranged by some non-governmental organisations, especially the environmental groups like Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA). 

Now let's dwell on the theme of this year's WED. Here “biodiversity” comes first. The term refers to the existence of diverse biota (species diversity) in the various types of ecosystems (ecosystem diversity). Another term, “genetic diversity,” signifies especially the different varieties of living beings (containing diverse genetic constitution) inside a species of plant, animal or microbe. We must note that both genetic and species diversities need diverse ecosystems (and in micro-level, different niches) to sustain and thrive. 

Once we destroy even partially the underground, surface and aquatic ecosystems (along with the atmosphere), unwisely creating only some artificial (secondary or tertiary) forests, and confine aquatic biota to closed water bodies (lakes and ponds) we actually close or limit the scope of sustenance and growth of diverse flora and fauna. Hence, UNEP properly placed the term “ecosystem management” just after biodiversity. 

How can we manage the natural ecosystems? In countries like Bangladesh, where geometrically increasing human population is literally eating up space (ecosystems) essential for all other biota, how can we still leave the spaces that other living things deserve to have?

There is a two-way solution. One is to arrest further growth of our own species. The other way is wiser living. We must occupy lesser earth surface for our living, i.e., living in vertical spaces, in high-rise buildings. Another way to keep some spaces available for other living things is decentralisation of human organizations, including dwelling houses, social establishments and industries. 

Most people's longing for living in cities (thus leaving no space in large continuous areas of concrete jungles for other living things) can be changed by sincere state efforts through sound policies of turning the whole country into a mix of urban and rural communities rather than concentrating all urban facilities in cities. This refers to green economy all through a country and, in turn, worldwide. 

However, “green economy” cannot be established by a single state, or even a region. That's why three major international efforts, other than Stockholm declaration, were made. These are the Rio Declaration (1992), Kyoto Protocol (2002) and Copenhagen Summit (2009). 

The last summit was termed by many as failed and by some as an opportunity. To me, this summit was just saved from a total failure by the last minute efforts. Why are most industrialised states -- both western and eastern -- still reluctant to reduce carbon emission and rely more on renewable energy? The answer I find is that they do not realise the very basis of environmental concerns that created UNEP, WED, Rio, Kyoto and Copenhagen. 

What is that? That's the very first proclamation of the Stockholm declaration, which states: “Man is both creature and moulder of his environment.” Leaders in most developed countries still like to “mould” the environment further by using technology, forgetting that the environment thus moulded shall turn unsuitable for living of “creatures” of nature that we actually are. So, please stop further moulding of nature, let's rather mould our psyche to avert the 27th destruction of earth that can make room for the 28th evolution of life (An evolution theory says: living things have evolved 27 times so far after large scale destruction).


Shariful Alam