Biodiversity: Who's Ruining It?

"Biological diversity and cultural diversity is are intimately related and interdependent"

I would have to definitely agree with this statement because when we understand the definition of biological diversity and cultural diversity we witness the two intertwine. Biological diversity shows us the variations of species, genetics, and ecosystems that are present on the earth, and cultural diversity is the different ethnic groups that are present on the earth. People within these cultural areas, rely on biodiversity as their source of food, medicine. and economy. Within the natural environment it provides a way for different cultural activities to develop, and different languages and belief systems to evolve. Shiva makes a good point that if we were to destroy biodiversity, we also destroy the "livelihoods of the large majority of Third World people who make their living as farmers, fishermen, craftspeople and healers." Because biological diversity and cultural diversity are interdependent it could possibly put people that depend of the environment at risk of falling into poverty if biodiversity were to undergo destruction.

Image of Diversity www.greenreview.blogspot.com

"Agricultural biodiversity is the basis of economic life for two-thirds of the world's population---those people who live in rural economies in the Third World."

I come to understand that in most countries, agricultural is really big and it is for many, a source of income for their families. They use the different variety of crops that the environment provides and make food, medicine, and make shelter. I think this is a very creative idea for those living in Third World countries, but the sad part is the production that comes from this, doesn't go to them, but those that are in power will make the decision of the distribution. As Shiva states "the poor depend on the wealth of biological resources and their knowledge and skills related to biodiversity." When biodiversity decreases because of the possibility of industry it puts them back into an impoverished state and they are stripped from healthcare and a source of food. Well the question is what do we do to ensure that doesn't happen in these Third World countries?

Third World Poverty www.getrealphilippines.com

"The Empty Earth Syndrome"

I just like this whole entire section, because it speaks on one of the potential causes of poverty that is happening today. Shiva describes to her readers two causes why Third World countries that are located in areas that contain biological wealth is consistently being destroyed. And that is because of "The Empty Earth Syndrome." Shiva describes this with two meanings. The first is people see the earth as empty if it is not filled with industrialization. They take what has been preserved and what these Third World countries use as a source of income, and build right on top of it, because they see that it is land that is filled with nothing. They witness no limits, Shiva describes those limits as "limits set by nature and set by other cultures to be respected." Those in power and have great wealth, use the land as an opportunity to produce wealth while, the Third World becomes poorer. The second Shiva describes is mono-culture "the idea that world is one-dimensional and diversity is seen as a disease or a deficiency" it produces a mindset that says biodiversity is not important and that's what produces "The Empty Earth Syndrome."

Biodiversity Threat www.nature.com