Global Perspectives Why Is Biodiversity Important? L3 Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid Habitat converted to crop land, competition with alien plants, collected for beauty and pesticides Threatened in all locations

Learning Objectives To construct a video clip highlighting persuasive arguments for Biodiversity protection. To utilise persuasive language and explore constructive media to present complex global /regional and personal perspectives.

Did You Know? At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change.— The Convention about Life on Earth, Convention on Biodiversity web site.

Food & Drink – Ecosystem Service Biodiversity provides food for humans. About 80% of our food supply comes from just 20 kinds of plant. Although many kinds of animal are used as food, again most consumption is focused on a few species. There is vast untapped potential for increasing the range of food products suitable for human consumption. Think agriculture/sustainability/resource partitioning/GM crops even!!! 

Medicine – Ecosystem Service A significant proportion of drugs are derived, directly or indirectly, from biological sources. However, only a small proportion of the total diversity of plants has been thoroughly investigated for potential sources of new drugs. Read the Biodiversity and Medicine PDF.

Industrial Materials – Ecosystem Service Industrial materials based on biological resources include building materials, fabrics, dyes, and even fossil fuels. Biodiversity is also important to the security of resources such as water, timber, paper, fiber, and food. As a result, biodiversity loss is a significant risk factor in business development and a serious threat to long term economic sustainability.

Ecological Services – This information will be used at a later date!! Biodiversity provides many services that we take for granted. It plays a part in regulating the chemistry of our atmosphere and water supply. It is directly involved in recycling nutrients and providing fertile soils. Experiments with controlled environments have shown that we cannot easily build ecosystems to support ourselves.

Leisure, cultural and aesthetic value – Ecosystem Service Many people derive value from biodiversity through leisure activities such as enjoying a walk in the countryside, birdwatching or natural history programmes on television. Biodiversity has inspired musicians, painters, sculptors, writers and other artists. Many cultural groups view themselves as an integral part of the natural world and show respect for other living organisms.

Pavan Sukhdev – pavansukhdev.com Pavan Sukhdev has long-standing interests and experience in environmental economics. From 2008-2010, while a senior banker at Deutsche Bank, he was seconded to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to lead the agency’s Green Economy Initiative, which includes The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity study (TEEB), the Green Economy Report and the Green Jobs report.

Biodiversity – A Hero for the Environment or a Fence Sitter for the Future? How can arguments be presented effectively and persuasively? Use well supported lines of reasoning based on supporting evidence. TASK 1: Using school cameras or SMART Phones, produce a 2 minute clip that develops your arguments for preventing Biodiversity loss. You can draw upon the information from the last Unit of Work concerning arguments and language and culture. Also, use the link to the Biodiversity Glossary: http://www.unep.org/tunza/youth/Events/BiodiversityGlossary/t abid/3937/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Video Assessment

Help? Read Information Sheet 1“Examples of endangered organisms”. Read Information Sheet 2 “Ecologists Call for Preservation of Planet's Remaining Biological Diversity”. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptgu_15sdVc Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_U04lyZ01U