Week 1 Assignment: Sustainable Living Guide Contribution

Week 1 Assignment Template Sustainable Living Guide Contributions, Part One of Four

Using the term that you have selected from the list provided in the classroom, please complete the following template. Create a minimum of 5 to 7 well-crafted sentences per paragraph. In your response, you are expected to cite and reference, in APA format, at least two outside sources in addition to the class text. The sources must be credible (from experts in the field of study); scholarly sources (published in peer-reviewed academic journals) are strongly encouraged. Delete these instructions before submitting your work to Waypoint.

In the first paragraph, thoroughly define your term. Describe how the term relates to this week’s theme. Provide specific examples.

In the second paragraph, discuss how the term affects living things and the physical world. Explain how the term relates to the challenge of achieving environmental sustainability. Does it make global sustainability harder to achieve, or easier? Justify if the term represents an obstacle to that goal, or perhaps a technique or technology that might promote it? Again, be as specific as possible and include examples to support your explanations.

In the third paragraph, determine at least two specific actions that you and I might take in order to promote environmental sustainability in relation to this term. Be creative and concrete with your suggestions. For example, you might recommend supporting a particular organization that is active in the field of your term. Consider actions that might be taken: 1) on the individual level, in our daily lives; 2) at the community level, working in our towns and cities; 3) via national and global organizations working on behalf of the environmental issues associated with your term; and/or 4) at the ballot box (though voting).

Paper For Above instruction

Selected Term: Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, landscape, or the entire planet. It encompasses the diversity of species, genetic variations within species, and the multitude of ecosystems that exist across the globe (Cardinale et al., 2012). Biodiversity is fundamental to the health and resilience of ecosystems, providing essential services such as pollination, water purification, climate regulation, and soil fertility. For instance, coral reefs harbor an estimated 25% of all marine species, illustrating the immense richness of marine biodiversity (Hughes et al., 2017). In the context of this week’s theme, sustaining biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience against environmental stresses. Protecting biodiversity involves conserving habitat, preventing species extinction, and restoring degraded ecosystems to ensure the continuity of these vital services—and thus, the well-being of all living organisms on Earth.

Biodiversity has profound impacts on both living organisms and the physical environment. Diverse ecosystems support a wide range of species, including humans, by providing resources such as food, medicine, and raw materials. A decline in biodiversity often results in fragile ecosystems that are less able to recover from disturbances such as climate change, pollution, or invasive species (Cardinale et al., 2012). Human activities—deforestation, pollution, urbanization, and overexploitation—are major drivers of biodiversity loss. This loss complicates efforts towards environmental sustainability because ecosystems with reduced biodiversity tend to be less productive and more vulnerable to collapse (Hooper et al., 2012). From a sustainability perspective, biodiversity can be both an obstacle and a solution: its preservation promotes resilient ecosystems that support sustainable resource use, whereas its degradation hampers those efforts. For example, monoculture farming diminishes biodiversity and increases vulnerability to pests and climate impacts, highlighting how biodiversity loss can hinder sustainability initiatives.

To promote environmental sustainability through the lens of biodiversity, individuals and communities can enact specific actions. On a personal level, supporting organizations dedicated to habitat preservation, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), can make a difference by funding initiatives aimed at conserving species and restoring ecosystems. At the community level, advocating for policies that establish protected areas and promote sustainable land use can help safeguard local biodiversity hotspots. Participating in local tree planting campaigns or habitat restoration projects are tangible ways to contribute directly. At a broader level, engaging with national and international organizations—such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)—can amplify efforts to implement effective conservation policies. Voting for leaders who prioritize environmental protection and biodiversity conservation also plays a crucial role in shaping policies that support sustainable ecosystems. Combining individual actions with collective advocacy can foster a culture of sustainability that balances human needs with ecological health (Wilson, 2016).

References

• Cardinale, B. J., Duffy, J. E., Gonzalez, A., Hooper, D. U., Perrings, C., Venail, P., ... & Naeem, S. (2012). Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity. Nature, 486(7401), 59-67.
• Hughes, T. P., Anderson, K. D., Connolly, S. R., Heron, S. F., Kerry, J. T., Moyne, B., & Baird, A. H. (2017). Coral reefs in the Anthropocene. Nature, 546(7656), 82-90.
• Hooper, D. U., Chapin, F. S., Ewel, J. J., Hector, A., Inchausti, P., Loreau, M., ... & Wardle, D. A. (2012). A global overview of the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 43, 523-550.
• Wilson, E. O. (2016). Half-earth: Our planet’s fixer-upper. WW Norton & Company.