Our Future Relies on Biodiversity
Living in harmony with nature and veganism are two topics that are connected by many interesting details. In this article, I was able to pin-point a topic that raises questions on the equal sides.
I would like to discuss how biodiversity has raised concern to me and how I grocery shop. I always wonder why we’re able to access all of these items that clearly have no chance of surviving or being grown in our environment. In the same token, our lack of options when it comes to a variety of organic produce is somewhat staggering.
In places like Peru, for example, there are outdoor markets that have over 3,000 different varieties of potato alone.
Some connections to biodiversity and veganism that I thought of include lack of whole foods and plant-based products, lack of organic produce variety, and the over-production of corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and meat products. Leila Janah, author of “Where did the Wild Things Go?” speaks all about experiencing signals that our culture lacks biodiversity.
For example, our mainstream culture has just recently introduced açai and pitaya (Amazonian fruits) into our stores. She says something that speaks volumes towards these distinct connections; “One day future generations will regard industrial meat, dairy, and egg production the same way we now think of the slave trade. It’s ok if you’re not perfect — even switching to an 80% plant-based diet is better than doing nothing.” (Janah, 2017) When we talk about the future, we’re also expected to assume responsibility for what the future holds after we’re gone. The generations after us will have be forced into adapting to situations rather than mitigating.
Ultimately, this quote is speaking to the idea that we still have an existing choice to make regarding our societal and ecological footprints.
This article written by the same author also mentions another point that I really resonate with; “Go spend time in nature. New studies show that immersion in natural environments is good for your brain. And on a daily basis: stick your toes in the dirt outside your office building, run your hands along the bark of the tree in your yard, look up into the darkness of the night sky and get a taste of your own smallness in relation to the trillions of organisms with whom we share our universe.”(Janah, 2017)
It can be really challenging to get to know the facts of what’s going on in nature, and not become somewhat discouraged. Becoming familiar with the lack of knowledge we have surrounding our ocean’s decreasing rate of biodiversity will surround your mind with a humbling awareness.
Do you recognize this cycle?
There’s a lack of biodiversity in what we eat, but also in our world underwater. Our oceans have lost 40 percent of the biodiversity that are known to us today, there are an estimated 30 million species that we don’t know about. In other words, there’s just so much that we don’t know about.
When we’re able to consider our time, what our true needs are, and what we can shed, we are able to bring light to the major shifts we need to make.
I gained insight on our duty to respect the unknown by aligning our values to our actions. Lastly, when an opportunity presents itself for you to experience a little bit of nature, just do yourself a favor and take it.
References:
Janah, L. (2016, October 10). Where did all the wild things go? Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://medium.com/@leilajanah/where-did-all-the-wild-things-go-9124ec25f771
