Mother Earth, Her Ecosystems, Man and Woman!

Photo by Aasvi Kedia

By Wezi Emmanuel Chilubanama, Zambia

Sustainable Development Goal 15 is a very important goal because it is about me, the next person, and the other and the entire ecosystem of the world. Life on land is not just for the human race, but the whole ecosystem around us, and we are only but a part of it. This applies to both plant and animal life. If anything, most animals, including human beings, are interdependent. Let’s see how this happens in at least two ways.

First, ecosystem members depend on each other for food. Animals including man and woman are consumers of plants and decomposing animal carcasses provide nutrients for plants. This interdependency is required to sustain ecosystems and life on earth. Secondly, procreation is enabled through ecosystem interdependence. For example, most seeds are dispersed through animals. Seed dispersal and pollination are crucial steps in the reproductive cycle of plants, and are facilitated by animals, including humans. 

As humans make more space for businesses, agriculture or housing, trees are cut down. Now don’t just think of it as deforestation but as displacement of wildlife. Humans are not only disturbing forest wildlife, but are also cutting down trees that might not be replanted! If man and woman keep doing this, we might as well learn how to breathe in carbon dioxide! How about we share living places with plant life instead?

With this information in mind, we must not only appreciate life on land but also take care of Mother Earth and her endowments. Man and woman must make some areas completely off limits in order to keep as much fauna and flora safe. From the softness of the grass to the chilling shade of a large tree, animals find some comfort. Man and woman may get this similar feeling from the roofs over their heads or soft rugs; man and woman must also think of the creatures that can’t get this same luxury due to their actions.

In conclusion, the world houses beautiful sites to see, not man-made but naturally made. We can’t continue to take it for granted, so let man and woman fight to keep Mother Earth and her ecosystems safe, as well as grow and develop along with her.