Climate change impacts every part of our globe, and it is beginning to affect our daily lives in measurable ways. Extreme weather-related events like fires, floods, hurricanes, and droughts that were once considered to be “100 year” events and are now occurring every few years. These events are not only costly to our economy but devastating, and potentially deadly, to people and animals around the world.
In their landmark Global Assessment, released in May 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) pointed to climate change as the third most important driver of species extinction. But not only does climate impact wildlife, native wildlife can improve climate resilience. For example, whales play a key role in combating climate change. They help to provide up to 50% of our oxygen.
This is yet another potent illustration that societal and individual well-being depends upon flourishing biodiversity and respect for all our fellow creatures. When we treat the environment, plants, animals, and even each other as “resources” to be used until expended, we find ourselves in our current, precarious situation, with collapsing biological and social systems. In short, when we damage one another, other animals, or the planet, we damage ourselves. Conversely, when we value one another, our planet, and all of its lifeforms, we are investing in not only our own happiness but also the well-being of our shared relationships and ecosystems.
That is why we must take actions in our own lives to combat climate change and protect biodiversity. We must also hold corporations and policy-makers around the world accountable. We only have one shared planet; for the well-being of all beings – now and into the future – we need to change our current trajectory, and transform our systems to value what really matters.