We are responsible for the loss of biodiversity and species extinction through activities like deforestation and fossil fuel emissions. This is negatively impacting species like orangutans and polar bears by destroying their habitats. While zoos aim to showcase biodiversity and appreciation for nature, they have lost their connection to the bigger problem of widespread habitat loss and over half of all species disappearing. As intelligent beings, humans should make smarter decisions to protect the environment and curb the activities of large corporations that degrade natural habitats, rather than prioritizing our own limited interests at the expense of other species. We must recognize our impact and responsibility to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.

1. Species Loss – The Big Picture (Part I)
We may not frequently ponder the significance of biodiversity, but with increasing evidence for
climate change we may have to devote time to appreciate and help many, many species cope
with the same exact situation we are currently in and will be in for generations to come. Imagine
orangutans struggling to survive in continually deforested areas or polar bears looking for any
sort of ice sheet to tread upon in the Arctic. We may not believe that orangutans or polar bears
are of any benefit to us as humans, but we are the ones responsible for their demise. Our grocery
stores filled with palm oil are a direct result of habitat destruction in forests which are home to
orangutans as well as other countless numbers of species. Polar bears are indirectly suffering
from our excessive CO2 emissions which are messing with the climate system and melting sea
ice mainly in the Arctic, Antarctic, and Greenland regions. We do not realize what we are doing
to so many species on Earth, yet we continue to do what we always have done and that is to
improve our own well-being and continue with the vicious cycle of wanting more and achieving
more at the expense of the environment. What’s more heartbreaking is that biodiversity on the
planet has done absolutely nothing to deserve all these negative consequences. Extinctions are
inevitable and we humans are the root cause of this major problem which will require a global
effort to hopefully first start out by fixing the way we look at the planet.
Now, let’s uncover our fascination of zoos. To some, zoos are vile places where animals must
live in horrible and unnatural conditions. To others, they are great for experiencing the magical
creatures that nature bestowed upon us. But, the distinctions are not the key point. There will
always be some opposition and some non-opposition. What I find interesting is that we are so
happy when we go to the zoo, but we don’t realize the main reason why zoos were created. Zoos
are meant to show people the variety of animals, but also to appreciate the wonders of nature
found only on Earth. I feel like we are pretending to believe we are taking care of these creatures
and appreciating their lives, but we do not look at the big picture. Imagine the entire globe and
every single species covering each bit of land and ocean area. Now, imagine more than ½ of
those species disappearing. That is the big picture and it is not an exciting one. That is how the
Earth will look, if not worse, when we behave selfishly and continue to act in this manner. I
strongly feel that zoos and humans have had a broken connection for a long while and this needs
to change to help make a difference in conserving and preserving habitats. In other words, we
should observe and carefully envision a world where zoos and natural areas no longer exist and
we ask ourselves why we had not taken that chance to do something that would have altered the
existence of species forever.
It is sad that the big picture is not a popular one and we are more focused on satiating our own
interests and maximizing what we can in our finite lives. Of course, we have to maintain our own
well-being, but does that necessarily have to come from degrading the homes of other creatures?
We have to think of the creatures as our close friends. We would never hurt our family or
friends, yet why must we behave that way to the creatures who have done nothing to harm us?
As humans, we are intelligent enough to make complex decisions and constantly think and
innovate. We say we are smart, but we do not make smart decisions. Why are big corporations
such powerful entities and why can’t we do something about them? Are we that afraid to take a
stand? Are we afraid that our relatives or friends or family will bring us down? Will society
ultimately stop us from making those decisions?

2. Species loss is something we will regret in the future. We must remember that humans must
safeguard these creatures and not harm them. That is another thing I find curious. We love our
pets so much that sometimes we treat them as our own children or close friends or relatives. Yet,
those animals are the same as the animals out in the wild that are always in pain. Why don’t we
protect those creatures as well? Scientists are working hard to proliferate the importance of
biodiversity loss. Our grocery stores would have absolutely zero items if it weren’t for those
trees. Our kids would not be able to enjoy the furry animals if animals suddenly disappeared.
Finally, our own pets are animals although domesticated throughout history, and they, too, are a
product of nature. We must not forget the linkage between humans and nature. I hope it is not too
late for us to somehow slow the curse that we have placed upon such magnificent creatures.