ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE BIODIVERSITY: THE BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

INTRODUCTION

             The biosphere is a global ecosystem. It includes the entire portion of the earth inhabited by life. In a boarder sense. Biospheres are any closed, self- regulating systems. The term “biosphere” was coined by geologist Eduard Suess in 1875. He defined biosphere as the place on earth’s surface where life dwells.

         The biosphere’s ecological context came from 1920, preceding the 1935 introduction of the term “ecosystems” by sir Arthur Tansley. Valdimir  I. Vernadsky defined ecology as the science of the biosphere. It is an interdisciplinary concept for integrating astronomy, geophysics, meteorology, bio geography, evolution, geology, geochemistry, hydrology and all life and earth sciences. The biosphere is a core concept with biology and ecology. Ecology provides a scientific context for evaluation environmental issues. To address environmental issues. To address environmental problems, we need to understand the interaction of organisms and their environments. The science of ecology provides that understanding. It is important to communicate the scientific complexity of environmental issues.

Ecology

       Ecology is the scientific study of the rich and varied interactions between organisms and their abiotic environment. In ecological studies, the environment encompasses both abiotic (such as water, mineral nutrients, light, temperature) and biotic factors (living organism). Interactions between organisms and their environment is a two way process in which organisms influence and are influenced by their environment.  There are many reasons to care about ecology. Our lives are enriched by the fascinating interactions between the organisms. Watching a butterfly visiting a flower and bringing about pollination is worth seeing. Beyond simple curiosity, information from ecological sciences is needed to solve many practical problems. An understanding of ecology allows us to grow food, control pests and diseases and deal with natural disasters such as flood, drought and earthquake.

Dealing with Global Climate Change

Mitigation of Global Climate Change :

                                           The development and use of alternatives to fossil fuels have the potential to eventually halt the warming caused by  CO₂ emission. Alternatives to petroleum and natural gas are likely to become necessary over the coming decades. The energy use and greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced, with little cost to society, by adopting the best technologies and implementing certain policies to encourage their use. For example, use of solar energy wherever possible and increasing the efficiency of automobiles and appliances would reduce the use of fossil fuels and the output of CO₂ emission; California took the lead in 2007, when the U.S Supreme Court decided that the Environmental Protection Agency is required, under the Clean Air Act, to regulate CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions. One way to mitigate global climate change involves removing atmospheric carbon dioxide from the air by planting and maintaining forests.

Adaptation to Global Climate Change :

                                          As the global climate change is inevitable, we must adapt. For example, the people living in coastal area could more to inland; we also must adapt to shifting agricultural zones. Evaluation the problems and finding and implementing solutions is the only remedy.

International Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions :

                                            At least 174 nations have now signed the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) developed at the 1992 Earth Summit. The international community recognises that the Kyoto Protocol is the only first only first step in addressing climate change.

Social Justice and Equity :

                                             Developed countries are care contributing more towards carbon emission. The largest share of global emissions of greenhouse gases has originated in developed countries. Per capita emissions in developing countries are still relatively low. It is not fair to expect the third world to make emission reduction in the same ways. The social justice and equity dimensions are not considered in climate negotiations. The efforts to deal with the environmental issued should be considered globally. There are many issued that have not been covered at all.