Science, Technology, and Society

LESSON 10: BIODIVERSITY AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY

➢ Another definition of biodiversity is "the variability among living
➢ BIODIVERSITY is in severe decline globally, with Vertebrate organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other
populations dropping by 60% since the 1970's, largely due to human aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are
activities like: habitat destruction, pollution, and industrial expansion. part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of
ecosystems.”
➢ It is projected that by 2020, wildlife decline will be 67% of the present
number. ➢ Biodiversity is the source of the essential goods and ecological
services that constitute the source of life for ail and it has direct
➢ The Worldwide Fund for Nature and Zoological Society of London consumptive value in food, agriculture, medicine, and in industry."
reported an annual decrease in wildlife by 2%. (Villaggio Globale, 2009)
➢ A key factor of this loss is the rapid growth of the human ➢ Understanding biodiversity within the concept of ecosystem needs a
population, which has more doubled since 1960 to 7.4 billion. thorough study on the relationship between:
➢ This growth has intensified the industrialization of natural habitats, • Biotic - living organisms. Ex: plants and animals.
displacing wild and marine life, leading to species extinction. • Abiotic - nonliving organisms. Ex: water and air.

➢ Marco Lambertini the director of the WWF International, warn that ➢ Interdisciplinary approach is needed to study the ecosystem. It
we may be on the verge of Earth’s sixth mass extinction, with species requires combining knowledge from multiple fields such as biology,
vanishing 1,000 times faster than the natural rate. ecology, and environmental science to understand the complex
dynamics of ecosystems.
➢ This disruption leads to ecosystem imbalances, threatening food
security, water systems, and climate stability, ultimately affecting ➢ For example, the larger number of different species in a certain area
human health and survival. can be a predictor of sustainable life in that area.
➢ Sustainability of the ecosystem ensures a better survival rate against
Biodiversity and Ecosystems
any natural disaster.
➢ Biodiversity is defined as the vast variety of life forms in the entire ➢ Biodiversity is essential for human life because it provides us with the
Earth. things we need, like clean water, food, and energy.
➢ It encompasses all kinds of life forms, from the single-celled ➢ Significant decline in biodiversity has direct human impact when
organisms to the largest multi-celled organisms. ecosystem in its insufficiency can no longer provide the physical as
well as social needs of human beings.
➢ Indirectly, changes in the ecosystem affect livelihood, income, and ➢ Intact ecosystems, composed of specialized organisms, function
on occasion, may even cause political conflict (WHO, n.d.). optimally to capture, transfer, and cycle energy and nutrients.

Changes in Biodiversity ➢ Species within these ecosystems influence productivity, nutrient

cycles, soil quality, and environmental factors like water cycles and
➢ Ecosystem Alterations are the changes that disrupt existing climate.
communities of plants and animals.
➢ Biodiversity loss has significant, often unpredictable, consequences.
➢ The loss of various life forms could affect the entire ecosystem
governing a specific environment. The food chain might be damaged. ➢ While society tolerates biodiversity loss for perceived benefits, these
often favor a few individuals, leading to a net societal loss.
➢ From this, we can clearly infer that when our ecosystem is not well
taken care of, biodiversity encounters changes that may impact Nutritional Impact of Biodiversity
human health on such different levels.
➢ The World Health Organization highlights biodiversity's critical role in
Threats to Biodiversity human nutrition through its impact on food production.
➢ Nutrition and biodiversity are linked at many levels:
The following are major threats to biodiversity that were identified
by the United Nations' Environment Programmed (WHO, n.d.): • the ecosystem, with food production as an ecosystem service
• the species in the ecosystem
1) Habitat loss and destruction • the genetic diversity within species.
2) Alterations in ecosystem composition
3) Over-exploitation ➢ Variations in nutritional composition among foods and their varieties
4) Pollution and contamination significantly influence dietary micronutrient availability.
5) Global climate change ➢ Maintaining high biodiversity is essential for healthy diets with
adequate nutrient intake.
Consequences of Biodiversity Loss

➢ Despite advancements in science and technology, our understanding ➢ However, intensified food production methods, such as irrigation,
of biodiversity and the consequence of its loss remains limited. fertilizers, pesticides, and altered cropping patterns, can reduce
biodiversity, affecting global nutrition and health.
➢ The basic concept about biodiversity loss was from Charles Darwin
and Alfred Russel Wallace. ➢ Habitat simplification and species loss further increase vulnerability
to environmental health challenges (WHO, 2007).
 Health Biology and Biodiversity • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Asthma
➢ Almost all living organisms are dependent to their environment to
live and reproduce. • Diabetes
• Obesity
➢ Basic needs of living organisms such as air, water, food, and habitat • Occupational injuries
are provided by its environment.
• Dysentery
➢ Although the environment sustains human life, it can also cause • Arthritis
diseases. • Malaria
➢ Environmental hazards increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, • Depression
asthma, and many other illnesses.
Causes of environmental damage
• Physical hazards - pollution, toxic chemicals, and food
contaminants, or they can be • Pesticides and fertilizers
• Social Hazard - dangerous work, poor housing conditions, • Soil sanitation
urban sprawl, and poverty. • Waste produced by livestock
➢ Unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene are responsible • Carbon emissions from food manufacturing and transportation
for a variety of infectious diseases, such as schistosomiasis, • Deforestation
diarrhea, cholera, meningitis, and gastritis. • Overfishing
• Large quantities of electricity and fossil fuels used by hospitals
➢ In 2015, approximately 350,000 children under the age of five (mostly
• Medical wastes.
in the developing world) died from diarrheal discases related to unsafe
drinking water, and approximately 1.8 billion people used drinking
➢ Environmental changes can help prevent diseases but may also
water contaminated with feces.
create challenges, such as overpopulation, which stresses
➢ More than two billion people lacked access to basic sanitation. ecosystems through increased resource use, pollution, and habitat
loss.
Environment Related Illness
➢ Climate change is another significant threat, potentially harming
• Parkinson's disease human health, farming systems, and food nutrient levels.
• Heart disease ➢ Biodiversity plays a crucial role in building resilience, aiding
• Cancer adaptation to environmental changes, and protecting ecosystems like
coral reefs, which reduce flood risks for millions worldwide.
 ➢ Environmental regulations should also consider vulnerable
➢ The interplay between human health and the environment involves
subpopulations, who are more susceptible to certain risks, while
ethical, social, and legal dilemmas, often requiring trade-offs
balancing practicality and costs.
between benefits and risks.
➢ Public health strategies often conflict individual rights with societal
➢ For instance, pesticides boost crop yields but pose health and
welfare, such as in cases of mandatory treatments or quarantine.
environmental hazards.
➢ Similarly, property rights are restricted to protect health and the
➢ While banning pesticides could lead to food shortages and higher
environment, though these restrictions can face opposition for being
prices, regulated use balances food production with minimizing harm.
excessive or lacking scientific backing.
➢ Similarly, energy production sustains human life but risks
➢ Human rights issues arise in environmental health research,
environmental damage, including pollution and habitat destruction,
especially involving human subjects.
highlighting the need for careful management (Resnik & Portier, 2017).
➢ Ethical research requires informed consent and safeguards against
➢ Human activities, particularly the production of greenhouse gases,
undue risk.
are a major driver of global climate change, which poses severe
risks to the environment and human health. ➢ For instance, pesticide testing on humans has sparked debate over its
ethicality versus its potential societal benefits in informing stronger
➢ However, efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions can
regulations.
have economic repercussions.
➢ Balancing biodiversity conservation and public health requires
➢ For instance, higher taxes on fossil fuels could lower carbon
carefully studied, actionable plans that promote societal well-
emissions by promoting fuel efficiency but would also increase
being without compromising environmental integrity (Resnik &
transportation costs, leading to inflation and reduced consumer
Portier, 2017).
purchasing power.
➢ Balancing environmental and economic impacts is essential in
addressing climate change.
➢ Managing environmental benefits and risks raises social justice
concerns, as people with lower socio-economic status often face
greater exposure to environmental hazards.
➢ Fair and democratic decision-making is essential to ensure
communities affected by environmental risks have a voice.