During this year’s Economic Conference in Davos, we had the opportunity to listen to many inspiring lectures and discussions that illustrated the current state of the climate crisis. A particularly strong emphasis was placed on the topic of biodiversity, which we must rebuild in order to repair the damage that humans have caused.
I find myself wondering where all the experts and scientists were to prevent the current situation our planet is facing. However, as I listen to these lectures, I realize that the world operates by its own rules, and just like in nature, the stronger one prevails. Consumerism, promoted by the world’s largest brands, triumphs; the most powerful platforms that offer an endless stream of information win; and behind it all is manipulation, hidden beneath the veil of sales. We live in a material world where everything must be monetized, because life, it seems, always requires more. It’s not easy to navigate through all of this, and nearly everyone is losing their way.
Yet, I still hold onto hope that humanity can fix what it has broken. We can understand our mistakes, grasp the scale of the damage, and prevent further actions that harm our ecosystem.
We start with ourselves, making small changes we can make on our own, to live better and closer to nature, supporting each other along the way. However, it is the leaders, the largest companies, and the most powerful people in the world who have the ability to bring about the change that the entire world is waiting for. This is why I was deeply struck by the words of the extraordinary Jane Goodall, which I will quote here for their powerful resonance:
“People who do not prioritize the climate do not deserve to be leaders.”
I have great hope that all those attending the world’s largest economic conference, where presidents, CEOs of major companies, the most influential businesspeople, and experts gathered, will truly understand these words and do everything in their power to restore what has been damaged.
At the Davos Economic Conference, the importance of biodiversity for ecosystems was strongly emphasized, with biodiversity being recognized as a key element for maintaining healthy ecosystems. The discussions pointed out how biodiversity is essential for the functioning of all life forms on Earth, and presented ways in which people can contribute to its protection.
The role of biodiversity inecosystems:
A diverse environment allows different forms of life to better adapt to changes and stresses in the surrounding world. Biodiversity influences soil fertility and pollination processes, making the environment more resilient to negative factors.
The impact of human activity on biodiversity:
Human activities, such as deforestation and pollution, contribute significantly to the decline in biodiversity. These harmful practices cause real damage to the planet, and the problem deepens over the years, impacting the stability of ecosystems, particularly the loss of biological diversity.
How biodiversity supports healthy ecosystems:
Biodiversity supports healthy ecosystems by enabling organisms to cope with changes and stress, leading to greater resilience to diseases. Plants serve as filters, and their extinction affects water quality and animal health.
The importance of biodiversity for humans:
Human life is closely tied to biodiversity. Enhancing soil fertility and pollination are key elements that influence crops, yields, and the food we derive from nature. Biodiversity also provides valuable medicines, helping humanity deal with various diseases. Coral reefs, plants, and animals are used to treat numerous illnesses.
Ways to protect biodiversity:
The conference highlighted five specific ways each of us can contribute to protecting biodiversity in our local areas. These actions include donating to conservation organizations, volunteering, changing eating habits, creating nature-friendly gardens, and responsibly caring for domestic animals, especially cats and dogs.
This is well explained in an article I translated below, which I want to share so nothing is left out:
“At the recent UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, parties agreed on a set of goals to reverse the global loss of biodiversity by 2030. This includes protecting 30% of Earth’s surface and reforming agricultural and fishing subsidies. Achieving these goals will require coordination between governments and businesses. However, the pace at which legislation and policy come into effect is outpacing the global rate of biodiversity loss. Here are some of the most effective actions you can take to reverse biodiversity loss and restore balance to nature:
- Donate: The total area of protected lands and seas in the UK increased from 27.6 million hectares in 2017 to 40.6 million hectares in 2022. Many of these areas are managed by charities, legal entities, and local authorities. These organizations, such as the RSPB and Wildlife Trust, are restoring biodiversity by creating new habitats, improving existing ones, and connecting wild areas with forest corridors and reserves to allow species migration. However, funding for nature conservation in the UK is often insufficient. Individuals and businesses can donate funds to support the work of these organizations.
- Volunteer: Many charitable organizations rely on volunteers who assist with administration, marketing, land management, or spreading awareness about the biodiversity crisis. Volunteering also has other benefits. Studies have shown that spending just two hours a week in nature can positively affect health and well-being.
- Change What You Eat: No one likes being lectured about their diet. However, unsustainable farming methods, the expansion of agricultural land, and our meat-based western diet threaten biodiversity. The transformation of natural habitats into farmland has caused one-quarter of all remaining mammal species to be at risk of extinction. Studies have also shown that agricultural intensification now puts more than half of Europe’s bird species at risk or facing extinction. To reverse biodiversity loss, we must change both what we eat and how much we consume.
- Nature-Friendly Gardens: Urbanization is causing increasing fragmentation of natural habitats, with the decline of species being most pronounced in cities. As cities continue to grow, it will become increasingly important to apply diverse approaches to biodiversity protection. Our gardens, though often not large enough to preserve species diversity, can become crucial habitats in urban environments. By working with our neighbors, we can enlarge our gardens, grow networks of flowers that will provide food for insects, and plant trees for birds to nest in. This will increase biodiversity by creating a patchwork of habitats in the surrounding area.
- Responsible Pet Ownership: Cats are natural predators, and allowing them to roam freely means they – like all other feral cats – are responsible for the deaths of millions of animals each year. Research conducted in Australia showed that allowing cats to roam freely increases the predation rate of local prey by 28–52 times more than the predation of wild cats in their natural environment. Cats have had such a destructive impact on Australian wildlife that they are considered a key threat to native wildlife under national legislation.
The best antidote to despair about the state of the natural world is immersion in it. Try these steps and hopefully you’ll discover even more ways to not only reduce your footprint but also enjoy a more vibrant local environment.”
Jane Goodall’s perspective:
One of the most inspiring speeches at the conference was by Jane Goodall, who emphasized that leaders who do not prioritize climate issues do not deserve to lead. Jane Goodall referred to the energy of young people, human intellectual potential, and the resilience of nature as sources of hope. I translated her words, which she delivered during the conference, as follows:
“The energy of young people: When young people understand the problem, they are empowered to take action, and nothing will stop them. Their enthusiasm and determination. They start something that doesn’t work, but they don’t give up. They try again. This is the greatest hope.
Our intellect makes us more different from other animals, and we start looking for solutions, thinking about our own environmental footprint. Then there is the resilience of nature, the places we have completely destroyed. Nature will return over time. Animals on the brink of extinction can be given another chance.
Finally, what I call the indomitable human spirit. People take on what seems impossible and don’t give up. Often they succeed and inspire others around them.”
I am deeply inspired by Jane Goodall’s words as well as by many other distinguished experts, including Xiye Bastida, the founder of Re-Earth Initiative, whose words have remained etched in my memory. Xiye shared an anecdote about baking bread, emphasizing an often-forgotten key ingredient in breadmaking, beyond flour, water, and salt—time. Time, which is running out, and we have so much left to do.
I firmly believe that each of us can contribute to caring for biodiversity. The upcoming second edition of the Great Bee Exhibition, which I am preparing for August 2024 (premiering on World Bee Day), aims to raise awareness about biodiversity. With the involvement of almost 100 artists, this year’s exhibition will help highlight the importance of supporting the restoration of our nature, supporting wild bees, and all pollinators, from which we benefit greatly. Let’s harvest wisely, as every resource will eventually run out.
Diana Dyba
Fot.: Kornelia Młynarczyk