As defined by the World Wildlife Fund, “Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.”
Just like human communities, ecosystems are more than the sum of their parts. They are vibrant, active, dynamic systems that thrive on the natural balance of their living creatures. Some ecosystems, in more inhospitable environments such as tundras or deserts, naturally have lower biodiversity. Meanwhile, hotspots comprise only 2.5% of the planet’s surface, but they account for almost 43% of its biological diversity.
Laws to Protect Biodiversity
Humans play a significant role in biodiversity protection, especially because we have played such a significant role in its decline. Deforestation, habitat fragmentation, climate change, and more all contribute heavily to biodiversity loss. In order to safeguard all species, with a wary eye on endangered species in particular, biodiversity must be protected by law.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 marked a major expansion of modern species protection efforts in the U.S. It:
Establishes protections for fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered; provides for adding species to and removing them from the list of threatened and endangered species, and for preparing and implementing plans for their recovery; provides for interagency cooperation to avoid take of listed species and for issuing permits for otherwise prohibited activities; provides for cooperation with States, including authorization of financial assistance; and implements the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).
Key amendments were also made in subsequent years. Other acts that have made a difference include the Dingell-Johnson Act, which aids the restoration of fishing ecosystems; the Migratory Bird Act/Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which gave the federal government full authority to protect migratory birds with today nearly 1000 species listed for protection; and the National Wildlife Refuge System Act, which provides for the administration and management of all areas in a national system of wildlife refuges.
Another major player is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), established in 1993. Inspired by the world community’s growing commitment to sustainable development, it represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. It has 3 main objectives:
- The conservation of biological diversity
- The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
- The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
Topics discussed include ethical tourism, sustainable fashion, and pharmaceuticals and biodiversity.
Climate Change as a Threat to Biodiversity
The United Nations states that the main driver of biodiversity loss remains humans’ use of land, primarily for food production, but climate change is playing an increasingly important role in the decline. For both land and sea, “the risk of species extinction increases with every degree of warming.” As global temperatures rise, ecosystems are disrupted faster than many species can adapt, forcing migration, altering breeding patterns, and shrinking habitable environments. Coral reefs, for example, are highly sensitive to temperature changes, leading to widespread bleaching events that threaten entire marine food webs.
On land, shifting climate zones can leave plants and animals stranded in unsuitable conditions, increasing competition and reducing survival rates. Without significant efforts to curb emissions and protect natural habitats, climate change will continue to accelerate biodiversity loss and destabilize ecosystems that are essential for life on Earth.
Making a Difference in Biodiversity Protection with an LLM from Lewis & Clark
Addressing these challenges requires skilled and passionate legal professionals. If you want to protect biodiversity and impact legislation, consider earning an LLM degree from one of the top environmental law programs in the country. Lewis & Clark’s online LLM is designed to equip individuals with the legal expertise and skills needed to solve pollution problems, protect natural resources and biodiversity, and develop clean energy sources.
Available 100% online, courses are designed with the same caliber of excellence as the acclaimed on-campus counterparts, offering flexibility without compromising the quality of education. Required courses include Environmental Law, Administrative Law, and Emerging Topics in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law. Some elective courses include Wildlife Law, Natural Resources Law & Science, Environmental Justice, and Environmental Impact Assessments.
With the LLM degree from Lewis & Clark, you will gain an excellent foundation for practicing, teaching, or policy-making in the environmental, natural resources, and energy law fields. Learn more and apply today.