An environmental issue

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Introduction
Bio means life while diversity means variation in the various aspects of things. Biodiversity entails the extent of variation of forms of life within a given planet or species. The number of plants’ species, microorganisms, the great diversity of species’ genes, animals, the various planets’ ecosystem such as deserts and coral reefs forms part of biodiversity on earth. However politics and power have greatly influenced the shaky balance. There has been a great biodiversity loss since the human race emerged. (Miller, D. A. 2008 p.23)
Biodiversity has as well affected cultural diversities and thus should be keenly dealt with. This ranges from the various types of traditional foods used by the various societies. Biodiversity loss is rendering them extinct. Physical Elements of Biodiversity Loss
In the physical reality much can be read on biodiversity loss. For example, the emergence of new breeds of animals and plants can be seen being developed in any other corner of the world. People are keenly trying out new breeds as a means of curbing food shortage.
For example, the genetically modified food has been termed as a way of reducing food shortages. This has impacted negatively to human health.
Population decline of species, a research done in UK in 2008 clearly revealed that the population of bats was greatly declining as a result of fragmentation of their habitation, intensification of agriculture and change in landscape. This has left their survival at a stake.
People have also encroached sea areas or islands for survival. A physical element is the many people living near water bodies. This is due to the increased population. These people use the water bodies as dumping sites for their various wastes. This has greatly contributed to biodiversity loss. The sea creatures are thus becoming extinct. . (Miller, D. A. 2008) The Human Dimension of Diversity
Humans rely on a healthy sustainable environment but have damaged it in many ways. They greatly depend on biodiversity for medicines, spiritual needs, crops and foods and environmental services such as clean air and water. They are major drivers in changes in biological diversity. Various human activities spell doom to biodiversity, this include planting single tree types in place of diverse forests, converting grasslands into agricultural farms and creating fish farms. (Spray, S. L., & McGlothlin, K. L. 2003 p.56)
Humans are domesticating the planet which in turn reduces biodiversity to homogeny. Even if all species still exist but are rounded up in reserves still the impact is the same, homogeneity is replacing biodiversity. Furthermore human population increases rapidly and apart from the fact that humans think of themselves as the only essential part of our planets’ biodiversity, there is increasing demand for food, land, energy and water amongst other resources this negatively impacts on species and their habitats. The human impacts are direct and also indirect as follows:

Over exploitation by humans has led to extinction of almost 99.9% of the previously existent species. The rate of extinction is currently on the rise due to increasing population. Habitat depletion is also an issue majorly due to increased access to islands, and over 39% of the world’s population is currently living within 100km of the coastline which is a threat to the marine life in that there is direct destruction of reefs by boats, fishing nets etc, global warming and pollution of the coastline. Over 50% of the mangrove ecosystem has been destroyed by human activities. (Miller, D. A. 2008) Women and Biodiversity
Women play a role in biodiversity especially on plant bio-diversity. They know a lot about plants because their most daily works deserves such knowledge. They are the home gardeners and casual breeders of various plants. In their daily agricultural work they find out a lot of new things on how to boost the productivity of their firms. Their focus shifts to fast growing products which may be harmful in the long run. This makes existing plants reach in important nutrients extinct. (Spray, S. L., & McGlothlin, K. L. 2003 p.123)
The small family circle live stocks at our homes are reared by women. They gather more modern information on breeding them to get productive breeds. For example in poultry farming new types of hens have been bred causing others to be extinct.
The rural to urban migration have left many women alone in the farms and thus great influence on plant and animal diversity relies on them. Most men move to urban areas to look for jobs. The modern free training offered by the nongovernmental organizations is as well focusing on women. The most news ways of farming are introduced to them and they implement them with an expectation of solving the food shortages in many nations.
Biotechnology has really captured the attention of women more than men. This has been termed as a great contributor of biodiversity loss. Most women are clamoring to this in their effort to keep pace with the growing technology.
Generally the understanding of biodiversity is clearer to women than men. They can thus be considered to be main participants in biodiversity loss because of their very nature of work. Therefore most of the efforts to curb biodiversity loss should be focused on women. Politics and Biodiversity
Politics does affect biodiversity although some of the causes of biodiversity loss are beyond their control. Decisions made in politics in a big way influence the existence and survival of biodiversity. Their policies could either curb or increase biodiversity loss. They are in a better position to influence biodiversity.
The government can come up with laws and ensure their enforcements to stop the probable causes of biodiversity loss. For example, they can strictly curb deforestation and even encourage planting of more trees. Many countries have set a day; “tree planting day”. Those caught in the act of cutting trees in the forests should be stringently dealt with. (https://www.ufz.de)
The politicians are also entrusted with the financial resources of the country and can use them to develop national parks and reserves to protect some species from becoming extinct.
Such decisions to invest in such can only be made by the government which is composed of politicians. They ought to also use the funds to educate the public on curbing biodiversity loss.
The politicians are also in a position to curb introduction of some form of technology which could be a threat to biodiversity. For example they take charge to prevent genetically modified food from taking shape in the country and related aspects of biotechnology.
Population control an aspect that influences diversity greatly rests on the hands of the politicians. They ought to influence it through family planning methods. Curbing Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity loss must be curbed because if it continues to escalate the generations to come will get it very hard to continue to existing. Some measures to curb these could be Deforestation must be stopped. Humid rainforests bears much richness in diversity on the planet. Rainforests are a habitat for most species. They as well help in absorption of carbon dioxide from the air and this greatly aids in controlling climate change. (Spray, S. L., & McGlothlin, K. L. 2003 p.176) Pollution of the environment ought to be reduced. Animals and plants are finding it hard to live in polluted environment. This applies both in the oceans and in the land. They tend to migrate to other areas for survival. This has negatively affected marine biodiversity. It ought to be stopped.
More research to be conducted on biodiversity to give more knowledge on protection of the existing species or rather they will go extinct.
Biodiversity parks and reserves could as well save biodiversity. Many nations have such parks that have unique landscapes and ecological formations. For example, the volcanic caldera of Yellowstone, mount Kilimanjaro and others. These could help preserve key characteristics
Enacting laws to protect the species that are at a higher risk of facing extinction; this will guarantee the survival of some species and such laws should strictly be enforced to save the future generation.
Effective agricultural policies should be formulated. Mono cropping should be minimized to extinction of native grassland.
Introduction of invasive species should be discouraged. For example, the introduction of genetically modified food is making the various existing type of maize extinct Curbing Biodiversity Loss Effects on Other Environmental Issues
Other environmental issues include global warming, drinking water scarcity, deforestation, and energy production amongst others.
Stopping deforestation as a solution to biodiversity loss will as well curd the drinking water shortages. The rain forests are the sources of water and thus need to be preserved. Thus in the process of curbing biodiversity loss drinking water would as well increase.
Enacting laws meant to prevent people from settling or encroaching water bodies or islands will as well ensure that safe water is available for both human and animal use. (Wood, A. 2000)
Poultry farming will also benefit when biodiversity loss is curbed. The important species in poultry won’t be tampered with and thus no extinction. People will thus continue to rear hens that are really safe for human consumption. Conclusion
Biodiversity loss is such a threat to both animal and human life. It has adverse effects. All stakeholders be it women, men, politicians should come to board and curb and further acceleration of biodiversity loss. It even puts other environmental issues at risk. Lots of resources should be dedicated towards this environmental issue

References
Miller, D. A. (2008). Biodiversity. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Spray, S. L., & McGlothlin, K. L. (2003). Loss of biodiversity. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Wood, A. (2000). The root causes of biodiversity loss. London: Earthscan.
https://www.ufz.de