Ways to Sustain an Ecosystem

Nature provides the conditions essential for our existence. The benefits we receive from nature, such as, fresh water and food are known as "ecosystem services". Nature affects every aspect of our lives and in turn our lives affect nature. We now realize that human activity can destroy nature's ecosystems and the many ecosystem services that we depend on. We are now seeking ways to protect nature and sustain its ecosystems.

Governance is essential to maintaining ecosystems

Over time human activity has altered nature's ecosystems and hampered their ability to provide the "ecosystem services" that we depend on. The millennium project is an ongoing study involving 1300 scientists from around the world. One of the studies major conclusions is that governance is paramount to sustaining healthy ecosystems. Governance involves decision making on all types of issues. It is laws, regulations and policies that will shape the initiative to preserve the world's ecosystems.

Government policies and large scale efforts by industry can do a great deal to sustain ecosystems, but to a large extent it will be individuals that will bring about sustainability of ecosystems. By adopting an eco friendly life style everyone can do their part, below is a list of things that individuals can do now to promote sustainability of ecosystems.

Protect our air

• Recycle as much as possible

• Use solar power to heat your home

• Walk or ride your bike whenever possible instead of driving

• Carpool whenever possible

• Ask your employer to establish a flexible schedule or to allow telecommuting

• Only burn seasoned wood in your fireplace or wood stove

Protect our water

• Cover disturbed soil with vegetation or mulch as soon as possible

• Keep storm drains clear and never dump anything into them

• Have your septic tank pumped and the entire system inspected regularly

• Fix any types of leaks from your car immediately and recycle motor oil

• Don't wash your car in the drive way take it to a car wash

Make less trash

• Buy items in bulk when possible to reduce packaging that gets thrown away

• Avoid items with a lot of packaging

• Buy products that can be reused

• Make durable products last by maintaining and repairing them

• Use cloth instead of paper napkins

• Do not use disposable plates and utensils

• Use a cloth bag when shopping instead of paper or plastic

• Start a Compost heap for your vegetable garbage

This list is only the beginning, each individual should make an effort to learn the many simple things that can be done to protect our environment and sustain nature's ecosystems.