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Why Biodiversity is Critical to Human Health – A People For Nature Perspective

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Why Biodiversity is Critical to Human Health – A People For Nature Perspective
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Biodiversity Literacy

At People For Nature, we believe that a healthy environment is at the core of a healthy society. When it comes to biodiversity—the incredible variety of life on Earth—its importance to human health cannot be overstated. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, biodiversity plays a central role in supporting our well-being. As we work towards reconnecting people to nature, it’s vital to highlight how closely our health is tied to the nature.

1. Ecosystem Services: The Unsung Heroes of Human Health

Biodiversity sustains the ecosystems that provide us with critical services. Healthy ecosystems—whether it’s a forest, wetland, or coastal ecosystem—are responsible for many processes that directly affect our health. These ecosystem services include:

  • Pollination: Biodiversity supports the bees, birds, and insects that pollinate our crops. Without these pollinators, many of the foods we rely on would become scarce. According to the United Nations, around 75% of flowering plants worldwide depend on animal pollination, which directly impacts food production (UNEP, 2020).
  • Water Purification: Wetlands and forests naturally filter and regulate water, providing us with clean and safe drinking water. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises the importance of ecosystems in ensuring safe water supplies, reducing the risks of waterborne diseases (WHO, 2017).
  • Climate Regulation: Forests, oceans, and wetlands absorb carbon dioxide, helping regulate our climate. At the same time, they mitigate the effects of extreme weather events and improve air quality. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), ecosystems are crucial in achieving climate change mitigation targets (IPCC, 2021).

2. Biodiversity and Medicine: Nature’s Pharmacy

At People For Nature, we recognise that nature’s rich biodiversity provides us with medicines that save lives. Many of the treatments we rely on today are derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms. For example:

  • Cancer Treatments: The rosy periwinkle, found in Madagascar, produces compounds used in life-saving cancer drugs, such as vincristine and vinblastine, used to treat leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NCI, 2020).
  • Antibiotics and Pain Relief: The opium poppy provides essential pain-relieving compounds, while penicillin, derived from mold, revolutionised medicine. As the World Health Organisation has reported, many life-saving drugs are derived from nature and are crucial in fighting infections and diseases (WHO, 2019).

Through our work, People For Nature encourages communities to recognise the immense value of preserving biodiversity—not just for environmental reasons, but for our ongoing access to these vital health resources.

3. Mental Health and Well-being: The Healing Power of Nature

At People For Nature, we also highlight the profound impact that biodiversity has on our mental health. Numerous studies show that spending time in biodiverse natural spaces improves mental wellbeing, reduces stress, and enhances emotional health.

  • Stress Reduction: Natural environments, particularly those rich in biodiversity, help reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that exposure to nature can improve mental health, with a landmark study by the University of Queensland showing that nature can significantly reduce stress (University of Queensland, 2019).
  • Improved Cognitive Function: Nature-rich environments can boost concentration, creativity, and cognitive performance. A study conducted by the University of Illinois found that spending time in natural environments improved cognitive function and attention (Berman et al., 2008).
  • Emotional Wellbeing: Nature has been shown to improve overall life satisfaction and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, exposure to green spaces is linked to improved mental well-being (Thompson et al., 2012).

By understanding the therapeutic power of nature, People For Nature is working to reconnect individuals to the environment, creating opportunities for healing and personal growth.

4. Biodiversity and Disease Regulation: A Natural Defense

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in regulating diseases, preventing the spread of harmful pathogens, and protecting us from outbreaks. As ecosystems become degraded, however, the balance is disrupted, and the risk of disease increases. By protecting biodiversity, we reduce these risks.

  • Natural Disease Regulation: Healthy ecosystems help keep populations of disease-carrying species in check, preventing the spread of illnesses like malaria and Lyme disease. A study published in Nature Communications showed that biodiversity loss can increase the spread of zoonotic diseases (Hernandez et al., 2020).
  • Preventing Antibiotic Resistance: The loss of biodiversity also threatens the development of new antibiotics. The loss of microbial diversity in ecosystems means fewer new antibiotics can be discovered. The United Nations has warned that antibiotic resistance could lead to 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if biodiversity loss is not addressed (UNEP, 2019).

At People For Nature, we support efforts to restore habitats and maintain biodiversity, ensuring these natural defense systems remain intact.

5. The Climate Change-Biodiversity-Health Nexus

As climate change accelerates, biodiversity loss and human health challenges are becoming increasingly intertwined. Extreme weather events, changing disease patterns, and food security issues all threaten human health. But healthy ecosystems can help mitigate these effects.

  • Heatwaves and Respiratory Issues: Biodiverse ecosystems, such as forests, help cool our environment and filter air pollutants. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), green spaces reduce urban heat island effects, which are critical in preventing heat-related illnesses (EPA, 2020).
  • Food Security: As climate change disrupts agricultural systems, biodiversity ensures the resilience of our food sources. A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights the role of biodiversity in ensuring sustainable and resilient food systems (FAO, 2019).

Conclusion

At People For Nature, we believe that biodiversity is not just about protecting plants and animals; it’s about protecting ourselves. The health of our planet and the health of our people are inseparable. From the medicines that save lives to the ecosystems that provide clean water and regulate disease, biodiversity is essential to human health and well-being.

By empowering people to take action, we can protect the biodiversity that supports our health. Whether through advocating for biodiversity conservation, creating a nature oasis, or supporting koala research through citizen science, we can all play a role in safeguarding both the natural world and our future health.

Join us at People For Nature in this vital mission. Together, we can make a difference for nature and our health, ensuring a more resilient, sustainable, and healthy future for all.

References:

  1. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020). “Pollination and Food Security.” UNEP Report
  2. World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.” WHO Website
  3. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.” IPCC Report
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI). (2020). “Vincristine.” NCI Website
  5. World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). “Medicinal Plants.” WHO Website
  6. University of Queensland. (2019). “How Nature Reduces Stress.” UQ Study
  7. Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). “The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting with Nature.” Psychological Science. Journal Article
  8. Thompson, C. W., et al. (2012). “The Benefits of Green Space in Urban Areas.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Journal Article
  9. Hernandez, R. M., et al. (2020). “The Effects of Biodiversity Loss on Disease Transmission.” Nature Communications. Journal Article
  10. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2019). “The Role of Biodiversity in Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance.” UNEP Report
  11. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). “Green Infrastructure and Heat Island Reduction.” EPA Website
  12. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2019). “The Role of Biodiversity in Food Security.” FAO Report