Biodiversity

Biography

Biography: Bruce D Eilerts

Abstract

Biodiversity and the current extinction crisis seem to be little recognized and publicized outside of academic circles and the biological community. Th ere is a larger awareness of climate change, pollution, over-population, and environmental compliance; however, all of these things are the root causes of the greater threat facing the Earth and humanity, which is global mass extinction. Th e reasons for this are many, but the pervadingignorance of the severity of the situation, political denial and the general feeling of hopelessness as individuals in terms of what can be done to help or reverse the current global extinction crises are what I believe to be the main contributing factors. Th is must, and can be, reversed. As biologists, professionals in related environmental professions, we live with this knowledge on a daily basis, and it does negatively affect us. There are disorders published in psychological journals that have been identifi ed as unique to environmental professionals. Because of the higher awareness, and “front-line” experiences we face daily while doing our jobs, many, if not most of us, have developed a sense of fatalism and hopelessness. Even if we are not fully aware that we carry this burden, many biologists suff er from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anger, and a sense ofh opelessness. Yet we rise every day and continue with our calling, which is to protect, conserve and seek solutions to preserve the flora, fauna, and habitats of our dying planet. Despite the sense of doom and gloom, there is some good news and simple things that each of us, including the vast majority of the world’s population, can do to reverse the dire situation facing us and future generation.

First of all, each and every one of us who are environmental professionals, must project more of a positive image of ourselves, our work and the reasons we do what we do. Secondly, each of us must become ambassadors and educate people we encounter whether they be construction workers, politicians, neighbours, school children, and any other member of the general public that do not share our awareness and concern about the importance of Biodiversity and the ongoing crisis of global extinctions. We must explain in simple terms what Biodiversity is, and its importance, We need to share stories and give statistics and examples. Th irdly, we must convince everyone, that each individual can contribute and signifi cantly do something about the situation. We must educate people that every life form is a rivet in the airplane on which we are passengers. As more and more rivets are removed (species going extinct), eventually the plane is going to crash and take everyone on board to their deaths (Paul Ehrlich, Population Biology).