Nature conservation is the protection of plants, animals and their habitats. It also includes the sustainable use of natural resources. Keeping ecosystems in balance and biodiversity intact are central to our survival. Without them, Earth will become uninhabitable for humans.
Human activities like deforestation, industrialisation and pollution are leading to a rapid degradation of our natural environment and are harming biodiversity. This in turn affects human health and well-being. Humans need healthy and functioning ecosystems for air, food and other vital resources.
People who take part in conservation often do so for personal reasons: They love wildlife, enjoy the outdoors or simply want to protect our planet from further damage. However, success stories (like the restoration of a wolf population or the preservation of a forest) are effective in inspiring others to get involved and to care for nature.
The conservation of biodiversity also benefits local communities. Many indigenous peoples and communities living on traditional lands rely on natural resources for their subsistence, income and cultural traditions. It is vital to involve them in conservation and ensure that they can proudly celebrate, share and continue practicing their traditional ecological knowledge.
There are a number of laws and organisations that aim to conserve species and their habitats. These include the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which monitors and prevents the sale of endangered animals, and the Endangered Species Act in the United States, which prohibits any activity that may harm or kill an animal listed as an endangered species.