Why is it so important to protect nature?
We are part of nature. On Earth, each and everyone of us depends on nature, from the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil we step on and cultivate our food, the energy we consume. Humans have changed 70% of the planet’s natural areas into settlements, farmland and other ways of land use to explore and obtain resources (UNCCD, 2022). Although this helped the development of the society in many ways, it has caused damage to unique ecosystems and species that may never recover.
Have you ever wondered how the vanishing of ecosystems and species might impact your own life? Brace yourself for a journey into the complex web of nature!
The Earth is like a big bubble where plants, animals, landscapes, and the a biotic components interact and depend on each other.
Like the internet, across the globe the ecosystems are interconnected realms, each contributing to a harmonious balance and a self-sustaining masterpiece in evolution. You can witness the energy flowing, nutrients cycling, seeds dispersing, and creatures embarking on epic migrations. But some ecosystems are facing destruction and becoming fragmented by human actions — roads slicing through, forests vanishing in the blink of an eye. It's a wild ride of diversity and function that is at risk, and your place in this grand narrative is more significant than you think (IPBES, 2019)!
But what about cities? Are there nature habitats in cities too?
In the heart of our bustling cities, urban nature emerges as a silent hero, offering essential services and contributing to a more sustainable future. Beyond the concrete confines, green spaces play a pivotal role in supporting our physical and psychological well-being, acting as vital contributors to medicine, food, and clean water (Grima et al, 2020). With cities being responsible for over 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and consuming a significant share of the world's energy (FAO, 2016), integrating trees and forests into urban landscapes becomes paramount. A greener urban planning and management not only regulate temperatures (e.g. using structures like greenwalls), prevent erosion, and provide recreational spaces but also promote social equity (e.g. community vegetable gardens), bridging the divisions between social classes (FAO, 2016). In the ever-evolving urban landscapes, let's celebrate the transformative power of green spaces — a force that not only mitigates climate change but also enriches our lives.
How can I get involved with nature?
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed with so much to be done to preserve nature and to reduce the damages on Earth, but all our choices matter and many little actions contribute to bigger impacts and even to our own mental well-being. There are some ideas for you to explore and get involved with to boost nature conservation:
- Learn and get informed about the state of nature, what is being done and what we still need to do, for example at The State of Nature in the EU report or the The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species;
- Contribute to environmental awareness and conservation, by sharing on your social media or with people around you the news about nature from nature news, for instance;
- Participate in civic activities to promote environmental protection, such as municipality assemblies;
- Volunteer and get involved with local environmental NGOs or associations to help their work;
- Adapt your lifestyle for more environmentally friendly choices - Collect solid waste from the natural environments, remove invasive alien plant species from natural areas; Collect native seeds and prepare seedbeds to plant.
