How losing biodiversity could be killing us

Summary

This script explores the critical link between biodiversity and human health. It highlights how natural substances, like penicillin, have revolutionized medicine, yet biodiversity loss threatens our ability to discover new cures. The script underscores the importance of ecosystems in maintaining our well-being and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect both nature and our health.

Takeaways

• 💊 Penicillin, discovered from natural mold, revolutionized modern antibiotics and saved countless lives.
• 🌿 Many life-saving drugs, including those for malaria, pain, and cancer, originate from natural substances.
• 🐾 The rapid loss of biodiversity threatens our ability to discover new, revolutionary medicines.
• 🌳 Biodiversity is crucial for healthy ecosystems, which in turn are vital for human health.
• 🔍 In 1928, Alexander Fleming's accidental discovery of mold killing bacteria led to the development of antibiotics.
• 🌡 Around 70% of cancer medications are derived from natural substances, highlighting nature's role in medicine.
• 🌏 Indigenous people worldwide have used natural remedies for thousands of years, and many still rely on them today.
• 📉 The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List indicates that over a quarter of assessed species are at risk of extinction.
• 🌍 Human activities such as deforestation, overfishing, and pollution are the primary drivers of biodiversity loss.
• 🌳 Healthy ecosystems provide essential services like air and water purification, which directly impact human health.
• 💰 Ecosystem services are estimated to be worth around 140 trillion euros annually, underscoring their economic importance.
• 🌱 Protecting and restoring biodiversity involves actions like rewilding, agroforestry, and reforestation, which are crucial for sustaining ecosystems.

Q & A

What is the significance of penicillin in the context of the video script?

Penicillin is highlighted as a life-saving antibiotic that was derived from natural substances. Its discovery from mold on bacteria-filled petri dishes paved the way for modern antibiotics, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity in medical advancements.

How does the loss of biodiversity impact the development of new drugs?

The loss of biodiversity is reducing our chances to discover more revolutionary drugs. Many drugs, including those for treating cancer, are based on natural substances, and the extinction of species could mean the loss of potential medicinal resources.

What is the percentage of cancer medications that are based on natural substances, according to the script?

Around 70% of cancer medications are based on natural substances, indicating the profound influence of biodiversity on modern medicine.

Who is Cassandra Quave and what is her field of study?

Cassandra Quave is an ethnobotanist who has written a book called 'The Plant Hunter'. She is involved in searching for new molecules from nature, inspired by traditional medicines used across different cultures worldwide.

What are some examples of natural remedies mentioned in the script?

Examples include latex from fig trees used to treat intestinal parasites in the Amazon and neem oil used to treat skin disorders in India.

How many people globally still rely primarily on natural medicines according to the script?

An estimated four billion people still rely primarily on natural medicines for their health needs.

What is the current situation regarding the threat to biodiversity as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed more than 150,000 species, with over a quarter being threatened with extinction, indicating a significant biodiversity crisis.

What are the two main factors threatening biodiversity according to EJ Milner-Gulland, a professor of biodiversity at Oxford University?

The two main factors threatening biodiversity are overharvesting and land conversion, which include clearance of land for livestock, food production, and overfishing of oceans.

How does the health of ecosystems relate to human health as per the script?

Healthy ecosystems are crucial for human health as they provide clean air, water, and nutrients for food. They also support the natural services that keep us healthy, such as air purification by trees and nutrient provision by soil microbes.

What is the estimated worth of ecosystem services according to the Boston Consulting Group?

The Boston Consulting Group estimates that ecosystem services are worth around 140 trillion euros every year, which is about twice the global GDP.

What are some of the actions suggested in the script to protect and sustainably manage ecosystems?

Some actions suggested include rewilding or rebuilding ecosystems, reintroducing lost species, agroforestry which combines agriculture with native trees and shrubs, and planting more trees to maintain forests.

What global commitment has been made regarding the protection and restoration of natural areas?

Global governments have committed to protect 30 percent of land and oceans and restore degraded natural areas by 2030.

How does the script describe the relationship between human health and planetary health?

The script describes human health and planetary health as intricately intertwined, emphasizing that one cannot exist without the other. Protecting biodiversity is essential for sustaining human life and health.