Make a world of difference
Tuned-in youngsters have grasped the importance of biodiversity in our gardens and the wider landscape, says LOUISE MIDGLEY
SIMPLY put, biodiversity describes the amazing variety of life on earth, from minuscule organisms to large mammals. A healthy biodiversity in the world provides the life-supporting systems that enable all organisms, including humans, to survive.
Climate change, deforestation, pollution and agricultural intensification are all having a negative impact on biodiversity on land, sea and air. As a result, barely a week goes by without headlines reporting the decline in populations of birds, butterflies, ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and, more recently, insects, in addition to other important environmental issues such as plastic waste.
But interestingly, it’s the younger generation in our communities, educated from an early age on such matters through science lessons and gardening clubs, who are now fighting back and trying to influence change.
Thousands of schoolchildren from around the UK recently went on strike as part of a global campaign to urge the Government to declare a climate emergency and take action to tackle the problem.
Children’s author Janey Louise Jones, whose latest book Princess Poppy: Please, Please Save The Bees incorporates the message about the urgent need to protect our world.
“Children are receptive to the message that it’s time to act on biodiversity matters” says Janey
Louise.
“The children I meet are either already well-educated about bees, insects and farming methods or are eager to learn, receptive and concerned.
“I think our children are a credit to the nation and serve to show up those who should be more active in this campaign.”
There is no doubt gardening clubs in schools have far-reaching benefits for students. While getting their hands dirty in the great outdoors, children are unknowingly learning the fundamentals of biology and botany.
They can see the food chain in action when a bird eats a worm, witness the cycle of life from the germination of a seed to the decomposition of a dying plant on the compost heap and learn to identify numerous plants and wildlife.
They also understand how easy it is to increase the biodiversity of creatures in a garden by simply providing suitable food and shelter throughout all four seasons. Often this is as easy as leaving a small area of the garden to grow wild and including a mix of plants in the borders that are proven to be nutritious for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.
It may seem like a small, insignificant step on the road to helping our planet heal but a united effort by gardeners of all ages may make an impact.