HISTORIAS                    Manuel Espejo

Does Biodiversity Matter?

 

There was a time when people held the belief that Earth's resources were inexhaustible. Mineral resources, clean air, and the rich tapestry of living species that inhabit our planet were once considered boundless, immune to depletion. However, in recent decades, we have been shaken from this illusion. We now recognize that human activities pose a grave threat to our planet, and the once-thriving biodiversity we took for granted is under relentless assault.

In ancient biblical tales, Noah is credited with saving diverse animal species by gathering them onto an ark—an endeavor that surely required divine guidance. Today, it appears as if the divine watchful eye has turned away, leaving humankind to take charge. Yet, rather than following in Noah's footsteps, we seem to be doing the opposite. It raises the question of whether, in our actions, we resemble more the destructive viruses that ultimately harm the hosts they inhabit rather than responsible stewards of our planet.

Recent studies suggest that a staggering one-fifth of all animal species may be teetering on the brink of extinction. Even if we assume this estimate is exaggerated and only ten percent of species are lost in the near future, should we view this as a success? The answer to this rhetorical question should deeply unsettle us all.

With these concerns in mind, we might ask another rhetorical question: does it truly matter if the number of Earth's species fluctuates, or if some fade into extinction? After all, there are millions of diverse life forms on our planet. Did not the extinction of the dinosaurs millions of years ago pave the way for the emergence of mammalian species? What relevance does this hold for me, and why should I care?

For a great many people worldwide, these questions are profoundly significant. The importance extends beyond recognizing the inherent right of every species to exist, even those we may find unattractive or vexatious. The urgency stems from our dependence on the planet's rich biodiversity for our own survival. Countless life forms, be they plants, animals, or fungi, are sources of medicines and therapeutic agents that can potentially save human lives. To jeopardize biodiversity is to imperil our own species.

In recent decades, environmental concerns have gained immense traction, bordering on the fervor of a quasi-religion in some cases. While some decisions made by environmentalists and nature enthusiasts may appear mystical rather than strictly rational or scientific, the overarching concern for the environment and biodiversity is eminently sensible and imperative. This issue should not be marred by political divides; there should be a global consensus on matters related to the conservation of our planet. Nevertheless, amidst the genuine concern, one can sometimes discern elements of demagoguery on one side and self-destructive irresponsibility on the other.

It is neither intelligent nor prudent to attack the very foundations of our sustenance. Eradicating biodiversity and altering our environment is tantamount to destroying what we fundamentally require to survive as a species. Hence, safeguarding our planet and protecting biodiversity is not merely an altruistic endeavor; it is, unequivocally, the most rational choice anyone with even a modicum of common sense would make.

In conclusion, we all must be active champions of our planet's biodiversity. Faced with the perilous possibility that our species is undermining the environment that sustains us, indifference is no longer an option. We must take action, guided by reason and effectiveness, rather than descending into the hysteria and mysticism that only exacerbate problems, leaving us with melancholy and despair.

Nature and life on Earth are intrinsically valuable, and more importantly, they are indispensable to our very existence. In writing this essay, I express my fervent hope for achieving a harmonious balance between our well-being as a species and the preservation of life on our planet.