Who Will Protect the Web of Life?

What Does the Future Hold?

MAN is only part of the big picture.  All creatures on earth have their place, according to their God-given role. We share many things with the life-forms around us-above all, the miracle of life itself.  For this reason, many people cannot help  but feel a powerful sense of loss when a life-form vanishes. 

Scientist Anthony C. Janetos, writing in Consequences magazine, stated:  "Many would agree that as a  society we bear the ethical obligation to protect the habitability of the planet, and to act as responsible stewards of its biological riches for the present and future welfare of the human species. To do that requires an appreciation of the value of biodiversity-both what it provides for the natural world and the ways we can use it-and a commitment to preserve it." 

What Is Being Done?

Indeed, global concern over the loss of living resources has brought representatives to draft a Convention on Biological Diversity. This comprehensive agreement recognizes that the conservation of biodiversity is a common concern of all people. 

As a further step to understanding biodiversity, biologists, ecologists, and other scientists around the world have declared 2001-2 to be Intentional Biodiversity Observation Year (IBOY).  Diana Wall, a biologist at Colorado State University who chairs the IBOY, states:  "Exploring biodiversity will unlock many benefits through discovery of new genes and chemicals that can be used for drugs, to improve crops or to restore polluted land."  Wall adds:  "More importantly , learning where new species are, their role in maintaining  healthy ecosystems and how we can conserve  them is vital for making informed decisions about our land, rivers, and oceans." 

Next time: Who Will Protect the Web of Life? -What Does the Future Hold/Fundamental Changes Needed 

From the Awake! magazine