What’s nature ever done for us? (3/5)
‘All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?’
Nature's beauty and significance can seem distant to those who don't consider themselves nature lovers, birders, or outdoor enthusiasts. But can we afford to ignore the unraveling of the natural world? The answer is a resounding no. Beyond our moral obligation to preserve the diversity of life and the mental health benefits we derive from nature, our very survival hinges on the health of our ecosystems. Ecosystem services, the life-support systems provided by nature, are the foundation on which our civilization thrives. But shockingly, we invest more in fizzy drinks globally than we do in safeguarding these indispensable services. (1)
Let's take a closer look at some key ecosystem services and how their decline can directly impact our lives:
Pollination: The decline of flying insect populations, with a 65% drop in Great Britain over the last two decades, threatens our food supply. (2) Fruit and vegetable yields have already decreased by 4.7% and 3.4% respectively (3). In South West China, where insect populations have drastically dwindled, pollinating crops by hand has become a necessity.
Soil Health: Creating and maintaining fertile soils is a fundamental ecosystem service. For instance, the renowned Knepp Estate rewilding project in Sussex has witnessed a doubling of soil microbial biomass and a recovery in the fungal/bacterial ratio, resulting in healthier soils capable of sustaining life.
Water Regulation: Our actions have diminished the capacity of uplands and floodplains to retain water, causing devastating consequences. Increased flooding, driven by climate change, threatens livelihoods and food production, with 30,000 hectares flooded every 3 years. This number is predicted to soar to 130,000 hectares by 2080. (4)
Climate Regulation: Ecosystems, particularly in our soils, play a critical role in sequestering greenhouse gases. Astonishingly, the Knepp Estate has doubled its soil carbon in just two decades, underscoring the tremendous potential for carbon sequestration through rewilding. (5)
Water and Air Quality: Our water sources are suffering from increased pollution due to human activities, necessitating costly filtration facilities to keep drinking water safe. At the same time, we have stripped our rivers of their natural purifying capabilities by altering their course and removing wetlands.
The consequences of ignoring these ecosystem services can be catastrophic, as history has shown. The collapse of past civilizations, such as the Mayans, was triggered by environmental degradation, including deforestation leading to devastating droughts. Despite our technological prowess, we remain deeply connected to the natural world. Climate change is escalating the risk of floods and droughts, affecting billions of people worldwide. Economically too, we are completely dependent on the free ecological services that they deliver.
Nevertheless, there is hope, and fortunately one of most effective solutions is also one of the cheapest: rewilding. By just stopping our attack on nature, rewilding revitalises ecosystems and safeguards the services that sustain us. Moreover, rewilding promotes local job opportunities, creating a balanced relationship between humans and our environment.
As the urgency of preserving our planet becomes more apparent, embracing rewilding is not just an option but a necessity. We need to rekindle our profound connection to nature and take decisive action to ensure a future for generations to come. Together, we can be the architects of a thriving planet, where humanity and the natural world coexist in harmony.
(1) https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/ecological-collapse-is-a-crisis-of-values-not-value
(2) https://www.buglife.org.uk/news/bugs-matter-survey-finds-that-uk-flying-insects-have-declined-by-nearly-60-in-less-than-20-years/#:~:text=England%20suffered%20the%20greatest%20decline,when%20compared%20to%202004%20figures.
(3) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/09/global-pollinator-losses-causing-500000-early-deaths-a-year-study#:~:text=Three%2Dquarters%20of%20crops%20require%20pollination%20but%20the%20populations%20of,nut%20production%2C%20the%20research%20found.
(4) https://eciu.net/analysis/briefings/climate-impacts/flood-risk-and-the-uk
(5) https://knepp.co.uk/rewilding/ecosystem-services/soil-restoration/