Plants and animals form a web of life.A more biologically diverse world is able to protect itself from damage.Human health, livelihood and survival are at risk from disruptions to these connections.Climate change, population growth, pesticide use, and monoculture farming are disruptions.In the last 40 years, the number of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish has decreased by half.Reducing your use of pesticides, changing your consumption habits, and advocating knowledgeably to the right people are some of the ways that you can help protect the environment.
Step 1: Reconsider your lawn.
Many people don't realize that having a grass lawn contributes to a monoculture.A large grassy area that is easy to maintain and has a nice place for children and pets to play is something many people like.Maintaining a grassy lawn excludes other types of plants.A flower or vegetable garden, trees, or a variety of bushes can be planted to convert a portion of your grassy lawn into a more diverse area.
Step 2: Diversify your garden.
The more diverse your garden and yard are, the more resistant they are to pests and disease.To attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators, plant flowering trees, shrubs, and flowers.Choose flowering plants native to your region, or plant cover crops that will attract bees, replenish nutrients, and prevent erosion.You can choose which pests and weeds you want to get rid of, keeping as many beneficial ones as possible to enhance soil health and to provide a habitat for needed insects and other animals.
Step 3: It's time to embrace your weeds.
Many plants that we think of as weeds are beneficial.Some weeds are free to eat.Adding to your diet!Even if you don't eat your weeds, insects may choose to snack on them instead of your garden.Some weeds can deter pests from entering an area.You can pick and choose which weeds you allow to stay on your property, for example, you can decide to get rid of poison ivy, but keep dandelions or thistle.It's not necessary to allow every plant or animal species to free range on your land.
Step 4: Make sure to consume conscientiously.
You can promote regional biodiversity by buying a variety of local fruits and vegetables.Farmers markets, gatherings of local farmers selling their produce, baked goods, meat, eggs, and dairy products in one place are common in most areas.Buying as much of your food as possible from a local farmers market will promote your local economy, give you the chance to learn about fruits and vegetables you have never tried before, and will enable you to find out details about how the food was grown.You can make requests for different practices, such as minimal or no pesticides, no hormones in meat animals, and a wider diversity of products, if you develop a relationship with the person who cultivates your food.
Step 5: There is an increase in the number of animals in urban landscapes.
Diversifying the bioculture in farmland, lawns, and gardens is important in protecting biodiversity, but there are also many places within urban areas that need attention.It is possible to make a big difference in urban biodiversity by planting flowers, flowering plants, and alfalfa.A variety of plants can be cultivated along roadsides, in power line corridors, between the street and sidewalk, and in community gardens.Encouraging a variety of flowering plants will attract pollinators and reduce harmful species without using pesticides.Urban areas need a lot of trees.You need caterpillar to attract birds.You need to plant the right trees.Oak trees are helpful in this, as are trees native to the area.
Step 6: You should be aware of pesticides.
The umbrella term for pesticides ispesticide.They were used in the 1960s to kill weeds, insects, fungi, plant diseases and rodents that damage crops, lawns, and gardens.Pesticides have been documented in soil, waterways, the air, animals, plants, and even humans.It has been shown by research that pesticides can kill species that are not meant to be targeted.Ninety percent of the world's food supply is pollinated by honeybees and wild bees.Between 20% and 30% of honeybee colonies in the U.S., Canada and Europe have been wiped out since 2007.The drop in honeybee colonies is directly linked to the use of a class of pesticides called neonicotinoids.The EU imposed a two year ban on three neonicotinoids used on flowering crops.Several member countries lifted the ban on certain crops.Environmental organizations are pushing for a ban in the U.S.Join or donate funds to these organizations.
Step 7: Don't use pesticides yourself.
The U.S. Geological Survey found that urban waterways were just as contaminated as rural waterways.Pesticides were found in 99% of the water and fish samples.The levels exceeded the guides used for the protection of aquatic life.Reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides in lawn care can make the situation worse.Do not use pesticides on your lawn.Many people use lawn care companies that spray their grass lawn with pesticides that limit or eliminate the growth of weeds and insects.Eliminating this type of treatment as well as abandoning the monoculture of the grass lawn can improve your local biodiversity.Aerate your lawn when the soil is not as dense as it should be.Water it well before using a mechanical core aerator, a hand aerifier, or a spading fork.After removing the soil core, apply grass seed and/orfertilizer to your lawn.
Step 8: Don't use pesticides to control weeds.
You can eliminate weeds by pulling them, smothering them with ground cover, or pouring a liquid on them.It is possible to create physical barriers like edgings and retaining walls, plant flowers and garden crops that will beat out weeds and maintain a thick lawn.
Step 9: Don't use pesticides in your garden.
Pests can be controlled naturally in a diverse garden.Plants on the perimeter of your garden can be used to repel insects.Good options include aster, cosmos, garlic, chive, savory, rosemary, petunias, thyme, rue, nasturtium, tansy, and euphoria.Natural predators like the praying mantis and ground beetles can help you take care of the problems.Physical deterrents can be used to deter pests.Put tarpaper in the shape of a cylinder around the base of the affected plant.A paste made of wood ashes and water can be applied around the base of trees to ward off borers.
Step 10: Household items can be used to reduce unwanted bugs.
You can get rid of bugs on plants if you have a lot of items in your kitchen.A 2 gallon (1.9 L) of water and cayenne pepper should be used to spray on the plants.Chili powder can be used to get rid of ants.You can remove bugs by spraying soapy water on plants, setting traps or bait boxes, and dusting boric acid in cracks and crevices.
Step 11: Discuss pesticide use with your local farmers.
Ask your local farmers about the nature and quantity of pesticides they use if you want to encourage local biodiversity.Make it known that you prefer to buy pesticide-free foods by buying from farmers who limit pesticide use.Food producers will change their practices to meet the demands of conscientious consumers if you spend money on a product.
Step 12: Purchase organic food products.
Try to buy organic foods at the grocery store if you can't shop at a farmer's market.While organic foods may not be pesticide-free, they are held to standards of minimal pesticide use, including a long list of banned pesticides.
Step 13: Genetically modified crops have a compounding role.
Increasing human demands on natural resources led to the emergence of genetically modified crops.Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the weed-killing herbicides, and was designed in 1996 to resist it.Almost all of the U.S. soybean, corn, and cotton crops were Roundup Ready by the year 2008.monoculture farming has greatly benefited large agribusiness, but it has also devastated family farming and led to decreased biodiversityThe surge in use of the herbicide was caused by the development of resistance to it in crops such as corn and cotton, which increased from 25 million pounds per year in 1996 to more than 135 million in 2007.Glyphosate has been found to have polluted waterways, soil, air, and our food.It has led to declines in beneficial insects, disruptions in the human endocrine system, and may even cause human DNA damage.
Step 14: Know the species that is invading.
An Invasive species is a plant or animal that comes from far away.The species can endanger the native flora and fauna.Purchase non-native species as food or as pets.The red eared-slider is an invader.If you already have an Invasive species pet, consider purchasing a new one.
Step 15: If you want to eat less meat, consider becoming vegetarian.
A lot of grain is used to produce livestock.Pesticides are used in the farming of these grains.
Step 16: We should reduce our dependence on GM crops.
Scientists, environmental activists, educators, and other people are affected by these issues.They want the eradication of GM crops.agribusiness has fought this very hard.The world's population has doubled since 1970 to 7 billion and is expected to reach 9 billion by the end of the century.Through your vote, the power of your purse, and changes in your lifestyle are some of the recommendations made by the Union of Concerned Scientists.Increasing funding for research on public crop breeding will allow farmers to find less harmful means of managing pests, weeds, and so forth.Make changes to patent laws to support independent research on GM risks and benefits in order to increase funding for research.The risks and benefits of GM product approvals need to be better understood in order for them to reach the market.The creation and support of food labeling laws is important.
Step 17: A persuasive message can be craft.
A varied natural environment is what most people want for their children.It's reasonable to wonder, "Why does it matter so much?"Why don't we sacrifice to protect it?There are things to emphasize when talking about biodiversity.Local and global economies are affected by biodiversity.Humans make a lot of money from the environment.Medicines, luxury goods, certain foods, and tourism dollars all depend on the health of the world's biologically diverse ecosystems.Our food supply is protected by nature.Most people in the world get most of their food from just a few sources. Scientists use genes from wild plants to ensure that these crops can survive against diseases, and similar processes are used for the livestock that give us meat.Local habitats can be upset by the introduction of non-native species.It's possible to protect against costly disasters.One study found that replacing natural grassland with agricultural pastures made areas more vulnerable to fire.It was found that islands with high biodiversity were less vulnerable to tropical storms.Natural environments are devastated by monoculture farming.Diversifying crops, crop rotation and reducing clear-cutting make them more resistant to damage when something bad happens.The Irish potato famine is a perfect example of monocultural farming gone terribly wrong, as the country's farmers relied on one type of potato.When disease swept through the country, the potatoes were almost completely wiped out, leaving the people with little to no food.The areas with high biodiversity tend to have a lot of genetic diversity.Individual species have a greater variety of genes.This contributes to the creation of new species over time.
Step 18: Find out what is happening in your area.
Determine what measures are being taken to protect and enhance biodiversity before reinventing the wheel.You will be able to gauge the most pressing concerns in your area, focus your efforts, and make a more persuasive, knowledge-based argument for change if you know this.
Step 19: Important connections can be made.
When trying to further the cause of preserving biodiversity, certain people in the local community can be helpful.People with power, people with experience organizing, and people who have specialized knowledge relating to environmental issues are some of the people.Political activists can help get the message to crucial voters, organize rallies, and get access to local politicians.Life science teachers and professors can offer their knowledge and expertise when it comes to the specifics of biodiversity-conserving efforts.As far as making your environmental mission a reality, environmental lawyers will know about the legal challenges and opportunities.Community leaders have power and influence.
Step 20: You should lobby your government.
Many environmental issues are in the hands of people who have power.Local, state, and national politicians are important to the mission to sustain biodiversity.The people with the power to write, interpret and enforce the laws surrounding environmental issues are here.Lobbying politicians directly is an effective way to get environmental policies.They want to be convinced that your environmental mission is a good idea.It is possible to get as many people in the community to sign a petition and file it with the local government.Our petition-writing article can be found here.Raising money for the election campaign of a politician who agrees with you is a good way to get the political results you want.If the politician wants to get re-elected, he or she must try to pass legislation favorable to you.Most politicians are motivated by votes.Your goal should be to convince the politician you're lobbying to support your environmental mission so that they will vote for you.I can't seem to find sympathetic politicians.You should consider running on an environmental platform.
Step 21: Share your message.
The more people you reach out to, the better chance you have of seeing the changes you want.It's important to get the word out about your mission.There are many ways to do this.There are a few ideas here.People spend a lot of time on social media websites.The attention of thousands of Internet browsers can be captured by a social media campaign.For more information on how to use social media to spur political change, see How to Use Social Media to Spur Political Change.Local community gatherings include religious services, town hall meetings, and public events.Reputable causes will often be given the chance to speak for free or cheap.Make the most of the opportunities to reach out to community members.Door-to-door visits and flyer distribution are old-fashioned ways to raise awareness, but they can still be effective.
Step 22: Donate to environmental organizations.
There are many organizations fighting for these issues.Many are powerful.Without financial and volunteer support from the people, the battle can't continue.Here is the link to a website with the names and contact information for a number of organizations.
Step 23: You can start your own environmental organization.
You may want to consider taking action on a larger scale once you have an understanding of local issues.An environmental organization dedicated to making the changes that are most important to you is a good way to do this.You gain both power and legitimacy if you involve others in your mission.Powerful people listen to organizations with a lot of members.There is no right focus for an environmental organization.Saving the local wetlands from encroaching development is a narrow issue that can be focused on by your club.Pick a goal that has a reasonable chance of being accomplished.A club with 100 members will not be able to fight for a global carbon tax.
Step 24: Be an informed consumer.
Your wallet is one of the most important tools you can use to fight the loss of global biodiversity.Purchase only products and services that were made with an eye for the environment.Don't buy from companies that threaten global biodiversity.Companies will sell what people want to buy, so tell them you want products that don't harm the environment.You should research brands that are friendly to the environment.There is a good selection of responsible companies listed in the Fortune report.
Step 25: Follow the three Rs.
Humans have always made a lot of garbage.Massive amounts of waste being produced on a global scale poses a major threat to biodiversity.You can reduce the impact of your waste by following the "Three Rs".Decrease your consumption is one of the three Rs.Purchase products you need.Try to make choices that don't generate a lot of garbage.Purchase things with limited packaging instead of things that come in many boxes or containers.When natural habitats are used for landfills, less garbage will contribute to the loss of biodiversity.You can decrease the amount of goods you throw away by using them more than once.You can bring a backpack to the grocery store so that you don't use new bags.More great ideas can be found in our Home Organization articles.Less garbage means less trash in the landfills.If you have to throw something away, recycle it so it can be used again rather than going to a landfill.There is a guide to recycling in the U.S.
Step 26: Eco-friendly food strategies can be practiced at home.
There are many ways to encourage global biodiversity.Many of these are things that you can do at home.Natural habitat destruction decreases when you reduce your reliance on commercial crops.There are a few easy suggestions below.A garden is a family or community project.Less demand for large-scale agriculture means less habitat loss.Compost at home.Adding compost to the garden will increase the harvest.This reduces your reliance on commercial agriculture.This is a great way to recycle kitchen scraps.
Step 27: You can reduce your carbon emissions.
Burning fossil fuels is bad for the environment.While human carbon emissions have been linked to global climate change beyond a shadow of a doubt, many don't know that they also have a direct impact on the planet's biodiversity.Habitat loss and stress in the environment put at-risk species on the verge of extinction.Reducing emissions is an effective way to slow climate change.Reducing the energy we use is usually how this can be done.You could try to buy a zero- or reduced-emissions car for your next vehicle purchase.Carpooling can save you money and reduce the amount of fuel you use.You can walk or ride your bike instead of driving.Reducing carbon emissions can be achieved by using energy- efficient electronics.The EPA gives an "Energy Star" label to electronics that use a minimal amount of electricity.This is the label to look for.Investing in insulation and heating will help reduce energy usage.Solar panels, which used to be too expensive for many people, are getting cheaper each year.