Biodiversity is under threat like never before, populations of insects, birds and other species are collapsing at unprecedented rates, a UN report from May 2019 talks of unprecedented decline with species extinctions increasing. There is no doubt that our planet is now in the midst of its sixth mass extinction of plants and animals - the sixth wave of extinction in the past half-billion years. It may all sound like doom and gloom, and it is serious, but there are things you can do in your backyard to stem the tide and create a garden for native biodiversity. Leave lawns uncut and allow native plants to populate areas of your garden – weeds are only a matter of definition! Give them and other native plants a home and allow your garden to go wild. Nature conservation really does begin in your backyard!
What Biosphere Expeditions does: We tackle the problem from the other end, by not having centralised office space, which needs buildings that destroy green spaces. Instead we work with existing business centres around the world and run a highly decentralised operation with people working from home (or in the field) for the overwhelming majority of their time. We encourage staff and partners to create as many green spaces as possible and educate them about biodiversity gardening.
Your local area administration will have details on its recycling scheme. Use it and make doubly sure you don’t just throw away toxic household waste such as batteries, paints, oils, etc., but dispose of them properly.
What Biosphere Expeditions does: Our administration locations are on full recycling schemes; on expedition we use whatever recycling scheme is available locally and take home with us the most toxic waste (batteries etc.) to be disposed of properly there.
The environmental impact of paper is significant. At the same time it’s easy to reduce paper use.
What Biosphere Expeditions does: We have gone largely paper-free in our administration; on expedition we do use more paper (datasheets, field guides, safety information, etc.), but we minimise this and recycle wherever possible.
The billions of disposable coffee cups thrown away each year are a waste of resources and harm forests in particular. Say no to the throwaway culture and switch to reusable coffee cups instead.
What Biosphere Expeditions does: We simply don’t use throwaway cups.
The Independent (a UK broadsheet newspaper) has called bottled water one of the “biggest scams of the century”. Just don’t do it in regions where tap water is a perfectly safe alternative. Buy a non-plastic refillable container instead.
What Biosphere Expeditions does: Bottled water is a big no-no on expedition. Where local water is not safe to drink, we use large, re-usable containers instead wherever possible.
