Biodiversity
Biodiversity and cultural diversity seem to be two completely independent topics. However, there is some correlation between the two. Biodiversity has the ability to make a place completely unique, and unlike any other. Plants and animals that are native to one country may not even be found in any other countries. In turn, these species of plants and animals are symbols of the country; something that defines that particular place. Places are known or more recognizable due to the biodiversity that exists within them. The biodiversity becomes a part of the country's cultural identity. However, if this biodiversity becomes threatened, so does the cultural diversity. If these plants and animals become extinct, they will no longer serve as a symbol of the country or place, and will no longer be a part of the culture.
Take Australia, for example. There are a huge variety of species of both plants and animals that live there. For example, Australia is known for its native koalas, kangaroos, and the Great Barrier Reef. If these places become threatened, the animals and plants could go extinct. Should this happen, a huge part of Australia's cultural identity would be taken away. These animals are a huge part of what Australia is known for, and who they are as a country. The extinction of the animals would make for a totally different cultural identity. These animals, plants, and wildlife also bring in tourists who seek nature activities. Should the biodiversity in these areas decline, these nature activities may no longer be available in the future. This would, again, change Australian culture, and less tourists would be attracted. Biodiversity also provides for a great deal of jobs and recreational activities. In Australia, for example, the great deal of biodiversity makes for a lot of fishing. If the biodiversity were to be threatened, people who fish for a living would no longer have jobs, and people who fish for recreation would not be able to do so anymore. The culture of a country can change completely because of a change in biodiversity.
It could be argued that biodiversity does not make up for all of a place's cultural diversity. While plants, animals, and different species can be something that define a place, there are several other aspects of culture as well. A culture is defined by language, beliefs, religious and cultural practices, and many more. These are all big parts of culture. However, I feel that biodiversity is such a huge part of culture, that it still presents a huge threat. When looking at Australia as an example, this is clear. People who do not know much about Australia as a country, and have never really been there or researched it, could probably still relate things like kangaroos and koalas to the country. This is basic knowledge of something that defines the country. They could not likely tell you that over four hundred languages are spoken across Australia. While this, too, is a big part of their cultural diversity, it is not as well known a part of their cultural identity. I feel that cultural diversity suffers greatly if biodiversity is threatened. Cultural diversity is what makes each part of the world unique. The world has so many different types of people, and it is important to respect and celebrate our differences. Therefore, I feel that cultural identity should be protected. In my opinion, the government and leaders of a country should do everything in their power to protect cultural diversity, which also means protecting biodiversity.
Biodiversity and cultural diversity seem to be two completely independent topics. However, there is some correlation between the two. Biodiversity has the ability to make a place completely unique, and unlike any other. Plants and animals that are native to one country may not even be found in any other countries. In turn, these species of plants and animals are symbols of the country; something that defines that particular place. Places are known or more recognizable due to the biodiversity that exists within them. The biodiversity becomes a part of the country's cultural identity. However, if this biodiversity becomes threatened, so does the cultural diversity. If these plants and animals become extinct, they will no longer serve as a symbol of the country or place, and will no longer be a part of the culture.
Take Australia, for example. There are a huge variety of species of both plants and animals that live there. For example, Australia is known for its native koalas, kangaroos, and the Great Barrier Reef. If these places become threatened, the animals and plants could go extinct. Should this happen, a huge part of Australia's cultural identity would be taken away. These animals are a huge part of what Australia is known for, and who they are as a country. The extinction of the animals would make for a totally different cultural identity. These animals, plants, and wildlife also bring in tourists who seek nature activities. Should the biodiversity in these areas decline, these nature activities may no longer be available in the future. This would, again, change Australian culture, and less tourists would be attracted. Biodiversity also provides for a great deal of jobs and recreational activities. In Australia, for example, the great deal of biodiversity makes for a lot of fishing. If the biodiversity were to be threatened, people who fish for a living would no longer have jobs, and people who fish for recreation would not be able to do so anymore. The culture of a country can change completely because of a change in biodiversity.
It could be argued that biodiversity does not make up for all of a place's cultural diversity. While plants, animals, and different species can be something that define a place, there are several other aspects of culture as well. A culture is defined by language, beliefs, religious and cultural practices, and many more. These are all big parts of culture. However, I feel that biodiversity is such a huge part of culture, that it still presents a huge threat. When looking at Australia as an example, this is clear. People who do not know much about Australia as a country, and have never really been there or researched it, could probably still relate things like kangaroos and koalas to the country. This is basic knowledge of something that defines the country. They could not likely tell you that over four hundred languages are spoken across Australia. While this, too, is a big part of their cultural diversity, it is not as well known a part of their cultural identity. I feel that cultural diversity suffers greatly if biodiversity is threatened. Cultural diversity is what makes each part of the world unique. The world has so many different types of people, and it is important to respect and celebrate our differences. Therefore, I feel that cultural identity should be protected. In my opinion, the government and leaders of a country should do everything in their power to protect cultural diversity, which also means protecting biodiversity.