The threats and extinction of living organisms continue to occur. It is almost unbelievable that from 1970 to 2018, vertebrate species declined by more than 68% (WWF, 2020). The world's biodiversity is thus at risk. This aligns with the Global Risks Report 2024, which states that biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are among the top global risks, alongside extreme climate events and critical changes to global systems. These issues are impacting human well-being and survival.

Biodiversity and humans are inseparable



Natural and green areas, such as forests, rivers, canals, park, and others, are sources of biodiversity that benefit humans beyond just providing food. They also have psychological value, promote good physical health, and help relieve stress by offering open spaces with fresh air. These areas serve as places for exercise, various recreational activities, and contribute to the healthy development of children.
Unfortunately, many natural areas in cities have been transformed because they are seen as "wastelands" that do not generate economic value.

What is not realized is that these areas serve as water retention and absorption zones, helping to mitigate the impacts of floods and droughts in many cities worldwide. At the same time, they provide moisture and shade, helping to reduce urban temperatures caused by the urban heat island (UHI) effect through evaporation and transpiration, resulting in lower average temperatures compared to other areas.
While large natural areas contribute to clean water and clean air, help prevent the spread of pests and diseases, serve as genetic reservoirs, and regulate the climate.
 
Good food must have biodiversity

Did you know that consuming a diverse range of foods each day, incorporating various species, ensures adequate intake of micronutrients? This is just as important as eating a balanced diet from all five food groups.



Fruits and vegetables of different varieties, even in small amounts, contain varying micronutrients. Even within the same variety, there are subtle differences in nutritional details, leading to variations in micronutrient content.

For instance, orange-fleshed bananas have higher beta-carotene levels compared to the more common white-fleshed bananas. Having accurate information and understanding can lead to better choices in consumption.

Take cabbage varieties, for example! Both broccoli and cauliflower, being members of the cabbage family, are rich in calcium and phosphorus, nourishing bones similarly. However, broccoli contains Tartaric acid, which helps inhibit the conversion of sugar and starch into fat. On the other hand, cauliflower contains antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, Beta-carotene, and Selenium, which help reduce the risk of cancer.

Having this information encourages consumers to collectively preserve biodiversity to have diverse food choices that are nutritious, varied, and beneficial for health.

Promoting health through biodiversity conservation efforts

Biodiversity and human health are inseparable because they impact food and water security, natural disaster risks, disease outbreaks, the availability of genetic resources for vaccine, pharmaceutical, and herbal medicine production.

• It starts with providing information to consumers to choose or control the purchase of food that does not use or regulates the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. This helps both consumers and farmers to have good health and reduce threats to biodiversity. Choosing locally sourced food reduces the importation of foreign species that may pose threats to other species. It preserves local genetic resources. Additionally, diverse food not only helps reduce monotony but also promotes diverse species, reducing the risk of disease outbreaks and climate change.
• Designing and maintaining the environment, particularly urban design following the Cities with Nature concept, where cities and nature coexist, protects green spaces and natural water sources, prevents and reduces pollution of air, water, and waste, thus preventing adverse effects on human health and benefiting biodiversity conservation.
• Developing natural learning environments to enhance children's development by promoting experiential learning outside the classroom through exploring and gathering biodiversity data, sustainable resource use, which fosters value creation and knowledge enhancement, raising awareness among children to collectively care for and conserve nearby natural resources.

 

• Promoting responsible recreational activities, especially tourism, sports, and relaxation in diverse natural areas involves measures such as minimizing noise, refraining from picking, moving, or removing plants and animals, adhering strictly to entry regulations, avoiding contact with wildlife, refraining from feeding or attempting to lure animals closer with food, and refraining from littering and leaving waste in natural areas, which could endanger wildlife.

The health sector can contribute to this by participating in the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which is expected to be completed by the year 2024. This collective effort aims to achieve the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which envisions "living in harmony with nature for a quality life by 2050."

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Special thanks to sources of information and images:

• The CBD Secretariat
• CHM-Thai
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
• World Economic Forum
• Human Healthcare Thailand
• Image by jcomp on Freepik
• Image by Benj

Source: TEI