Environmental impact is a constant debate in our society today. Some argue that the loss of particular species of plants and animals is the most severe environmental issue of our times, while others believe there are more pressing environmental problems to adress. But which one has more merits?
On one hand, the loss of species is a critical issue because each specie plays a unique role on its ecosysteym. The extinction of a specie can have a domino effect, impacting other species and the overall balance of the ecosystem. For example, the disappearance of pollinators like beecs can affect agriculture and the production of food. Moreover, biodiversity has intrinsic and cultural value – many communities depend on some specific beings not only for their livelihood, but also for their culturual and religious practices.
On the other hand, others argue that climate change, deforestation or water and air pollution could be some of the more urgen environmental matters. Climate change itself is a problem affecting all forms of life on the planet. Its impacts include rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ocean damage, which can lead to biodiversity loss.
Even though the second ones are more visible in people´s dayli lives, in my opinion it is difficult to prioritize one problem over another because they are all interconnected. A clear example of it would be the linkage between biodiversity loss and climate change. Adressing species loss without considering climate change would be a huge mistake, and so would be viceversa. I strongly believe it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that addresses multiple environmental problems all at once.