Understanding the urgent need to protect Australia’s biodiversity

As we step into September, it’s time to shine a light on a critical issue that isn’t spoken of enough – biodiversity loss. Australia is blessed with a wealth of unique flora and fauna, making us one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Yet, despite this natural richness, we also rank as one of the leading nations in biodiversity loss. September represents National Biodiversity Month. This paradox is alarming and calls for immediate attention and action.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, encompassing all species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form. In Australia, our biodiversity is truly remarkable. With more than 80% of our mammals, reptiles, and flowering plants found nowhere else on Earth, we have a global responsibility to protect these species.

However, our actions are pushing many of these species to the brink of extinction. Habitat loss due to deforestation, urban development, farming and climate change amongst others, are major drivers of this decline. Forests are cleared for agriculture, cities expand into natural habitats, and land is modified to suit human needs, often at the expense of the species that originally lived there.

According to recent studies, Australia has already lost more than 7.7 million hectares of forest since 2000 – an area larger than Tasmania. This deforestation not only displaces wildlife but also destroys the complex ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

When we lose habitats, we don’t just lose trees or animals – we disrupt entire ecosystems. Ecosystems are intricate networks where every species plays a crucial role in maintaining balance. For instance, plants in a forest don’t just sit there passively; they actively retain water, balance water levels in the atmosphere, release oxygen, and help moderate weather patterns.

When forests are destroyed, this natural regulation is lost, leading to more frequent and severe storms, floods, and droughts. Additionally, without plants to absorb the amount of carbon dioxide emissions we currently generate, greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere are driving the rapid rate of global warming. Enter climate change.

Animals like the koala, an Australian emblem, are not just cute creatures. They are vital to the health of our forests. Koalas feed on eucalyptus leaves, which helps maintain the balance of these trees in the ecosystem. By eating their leaves, they prevent biomass from forming on the ground, and therefore reducing the risk of bushfires. Their droplets alongside branches, seeds and leaves that fall on the ground, help feed other living creatures. Their loss would signify more than just the extinction of a species; it would mark the quick decline of entire ecosystems.

Act Now

The good news is that it’s not too late to make a difference. By protecting and restoring habitats, we can help preserve the biodiversity that sustains life on Earth. What we mean here is, we need to continue planting more trees.

At Carbon Positive Australia, we are committed to restoring deforested land by planting native trees and creating safe havens for endangered species. From coast to coast, we’re working endless to prevent the Koala extinction in forests of NSW, and Western Australia endemic species like the Carnaby Black Cockatoos – all through our native tree planting projects.

Every tree we plant helps rebuild an ecosystem, one that will provide homes for wildlife, sequester carbon, and mitigate the effect of climate change.

We encourage you to join us in taking climate action. Send this to a friend, share it with your local community, learn how to reduce your carbon footprint, donate if you have the means, or continue helping us spread the word. Every little action counts.

Your footprint. Australia’s trees. Our future.