Today, organisms are becoming extinct hundreds of times faster than they would naturally. Biodiversity is under threat from modern life. Around a million species face extinction due to human activity which has altered almost 75% of the Earth's surface, squeezing wildlife and nature into an ever-smaller corner of the planet. Felling trees contributes to climate change because it depletes forests that absorb vast amounts of the warming gas CO2.
Experts agree that we could approach the level of a mass extinction in as soon as 240 to 540 years. So serious is the threat to biodiversity, that the United Nations designated 2010 as the International Year for Biodiversity and the UK government is considering compulsory nature studies for all pupils as part of a Sir David Attenborough backed plan to protect the natural environment.
Teaching about biodiversity and issues such as deforestation are often rooted in simply getting outdoors and observing wildlife, nature, plants and animals. Noticing environmental changes and animal behaviour can intrigue and inspire pupils. Biodiversity usually sits within science and geography lessons however, it is a topic which can have relevance across all subjects, in whole school assemblies and form time - particularly given its overall importance to the future of humanity.
Linking the local to the global is one key aspect of exploring biodiversity. Lyfta has a series of human stories in locations across the globe including Philippines, China, Peru, USA and Germany which all have links to understanding the complex web of biodiversity. These storyworlds give your pupils the opportunity to relate what they may observe in their local communities and school grounds to similar things far away - for example; insects, bees and fish. As follows is a summary of some of these storyworlds:
