Biodiversity

"Biodiversity means the diversity of life - the rich diversity of life forms on our beautiful planet." (Shiva 38)

Biodiversity gives the conditions for life's maintenance, as well as, different ways in which that life is shown. This is the embodiment of centuries of cultural growth, because humans have evolved with other species in the diverse ecosystems that is the world. With biodiversity shaping the world's diverse cultures; the erosion of biodiversity and cultural diversity go hand in hand. However, both have been threatened by the globalization of an industrialized culture based of off technology and the growing want of resources. We are all looking for different ways that will conserve our being and provide sustainable solutions for our health and nutrition. 

Photos by: George Carter

"Biodiversity is not just a conservation issue, it is an issue affecting economic survival." (Shiva 50)

Biodiversity can be viewed as the means of production for the poor who have no access to other means of production. For food, medicine, crafts, etc. the poor depend on the wealth of biological resources and skills that go with biodiversity. As this goes away, the poor are pushed further into impoverishment and deprived of the health care and nutrition that biodiversity gives. The way the consumption of the rich and powerful can determine the consumption of the poor by contributing to the erosion of biodiversity. 

 Photo Concept By: Wiley-Blackwell

"It is estimated that 100 million of the world's poorest people depend on fishing for all or part of their livelihoods." (Shiva 53)

Most of the large fishing boats are under transnational corporations and use all the latest technology in fish-detection, catching and processing, making them great hunting machines, and leading to the problem of overfishing. The decrease of the commerical value results in the development of technologies and large catches are made possible because of the destruction of livelihood and diverse species. For example, shrimp in India was an export commodity through fisher development; and little by little there become less shrimp to catch and eat. Also landings of the major sea bottom-dwelling fish began to decrease due to the excess fishing and the destruction of the seabed. 

Photos by: Marine Conservation