In this series, I was interested in exploring the socio-economic factors that drive our human activities that pressure biodiversity. Biodiversity loss is occurring across all ecosystems and all forms of biodiversity, and if not addressed could ultimately lead to man's extinction. The main causes are habitat alteration; over-harvesting; species and disease introduction; and pollution and climate change. Modifications of land cover and marine habitats for human use results in not only outright destruction or transformation but also reduction and fragmentation of habitats that in turn reduce the complexity of ecosystems. We must recognize the contribution of natural habitats to our lives and biodiversity and include sustainability in all development plans. We have to stop treating the environment as a limitless source of resources and services. Conservation efforts are struggling in many places and many institutions, markets, laws, political bodies, and social norms, favor expansion of the consumption-driven patterns of development. They promote unsustainable resource consumption and degradation of ecosystems by both the developed and developing countries of the world. We all must do what we can to put a stop to this...
