The Importance of Biodiversity and Its Impact on Human Health

Introduction

• Small cuts could have been lethal before antibiotics.
• Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, revolutionized medicine.
• Many drugs come from natural substances, highlighting the importance of biodiversity.

Biodiversity and Medicine

• Biodiversity: The variety of plants, animals, and ecosystems.
• Natural Remedies:
  • 70% of cancer medications are based on natural substances.
  • Examples:
    • Heart disease medication from foxglove.
    • Cancer treatment from yew tree and may apple.
• Ethnobotanists like Cassandra Quave explore traditional medicines derived from nature.

Current Use of Natural Medicines

• 4 billion people rely on natural medicines today.
• Examples of natural treatments:
  • Latex from fig trees for intestinal parasites.
  • Neem oil for skin disorders in India.

Biodiversity Crisis

• Over 150,000 species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature; over a quarter threatened with extinction.
• Biodiversity loss is occurring faster than ever, posing a significant threat to global health.
• Key threats:
  • Over-harvesting.
  • Land conversion for agriculture and livestock.
  • Pollution and climate change.

Ecosystem Services and Human Health

• Healthy ecosystems provide essential services:
  • Trees clean the air (reduce pollution-related deaths).
  • Soil microbes support 95% of our food production.
  • Wetlands purify water.
• Ecosystem services valued at approximately 140 trillion euros, supporting human health for free.

Impact of Resource Overuse

• Increased life expectancy linked to natural resource exploitation, yet we are overusing resources beyond Earth's capacity to regenerate.
• Biodiversity loss heightens vulnerability to new health threats (e.g., zoonotic diseases like COVID-19).

Solutions to Preserve Biodiversity

• No single solution; a multifaceted approach is necessary:
  • Rewilding: Reintroducing lost species.
  • Agroforestry: Integrating native trees with agriculture to enhance soil health.
  • Conservation Efforts: Protecting 30% of land and oceans by 2030.

Conclusion

• Human health and planetary health are interconnected.
• Biodiversity is crucial for survival; it supports life's systems on Earth.
• Urgency in action needed to prevent species extinction and promote a sustainable future.

Reflection

• Importance of the natural world for health and well-being.
• Encouragement to engage with biodiversity conservation.