Though it may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when thinking about conservation, reducing energy use can have a positive impact on the environment. We first have to consider where our energy comes from. The electricity you use everyday often comes from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. This burning of fossil fuels releases a gas called carbon dioxide(CO2) into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is widely known as a ‘greenhouse’ gas. This means that it tends to trap heat within the Earth’s atmosphere which, over time, has been leading to a global increase in temperature. This global increase in temperature is often referred to as global climate change and has significant impacts on organisms and the environment worldwide.
Conservation biology is a field which works to address and prevent the growing loss of biological diversity. To conserve something means to protect it from harm or total destruction. As described above, participating in activities that consume large amounts of energy are often detrimental to the environment and the practice of conservation. For instance, using large quantities of fossil fuels to heat a home is harmful to the environment in the long run. Certain species of animals and plants are intolerant to warming temperatures as a result of the burning of fossil fuels. These species may be negatively impacted by habitat loss/degradation or decrease in food sources. Take the classic case of polar bears for example. As global warming is on the rise, ice caps are slowly melting. These ice caps are extremely important for the livelihood of polar bears and as they diminish, polar bears are left with nowhere to forge for food. This lack of food leads to starvation, which ultimately leads to death. This is just one of many examples of organisms that are being negatively impacted by climate change. By switching over to more sustainable forms of energy for heating homes and other necessities, one could contribute to the conservation efforts to save these species from endangerment and even extinction.
Conservation biologists are the ones on the front lines fighting for the protection and management of our most crucial resources and ecosystems. As upcoming graduates entering the field of conservation we feel it is a more prudent time than ever to be aware of our impacts as individuals and as a society. This project was very much community based and centered around trying to make small changes that will result in a much larger affect. We are excited to see where future students and the community may take the resources we have given them. There is definitely the potential for our project to be scaled up but due to the current state of the country during the pandemic that is not possible.
Conservation biology is a field which works to address and prevent the growing loss of biological diversity. To conserve something means to protect it from harm or total destruction. As described above, participating in activities that consume large amounts of energy are often detrimental to the environment and the practice of conservation. For instance, using large quantities of fossil fuels to heat a home is harmful to the environment in the long run. Certain species of animals and plants are intolerant to warming temperatures as a result of the burning of fossil fuels. These species may be negatively impacted by habitat loss/degradation or decrease in food sources. Take the classic case of polar bears for example. As global warming is on the rise, ice caps are slowly melting. These ice caps are extremely important for the livelihood of polar bears and as they diminish, polar bears are left with nowhere to forge for food. This lack of food leads to starvation, which ultimately leads to death. This is just one of many examples of organisms that are being negatively impacted by climate change. By switching over to more sustainable forms of energy for heating homes and other necessities, one could contribute to the conservation efforts to save these species from endangerment and even extinction.
Conservation biologists are the ones on the front lines fighting for the protection and management of our most crucial resources and ecosystems. As upcoming graduates entering the field of conservation we feel it is a more prudent time than ever to be aware of our impacts as individuals and as a society. This project was very much community based and centered around trying to make small changes that will result in a much larger affect. We are excited to see where future students and the community may take the resources we have given them. There is definitely the potential for our project to be scaled up but due to the current state of the country during the pandemic that is not possible.