Biodiversity

The world's biodiversity of life and the ecosystems which support it are increasingly threatened by human development. This profile examines the many reasons protecting biodiversity is vitally important to humankind and life on the planet and the risks posed by its decline. A comprehensive and readable overview explains biodiversity, its importance, and the threats to it and from its decline. Profiles of successful community initiatives inspire and reveal practical actions being taken in communities around the world. In this Profile you also will find facts, resources, inspiration and a wealth of ideas on how to protect biodiversity in your community. You'll find this Profile provides what you need to know about biodiversity to enable you to take positive action.

The Overview explains what biodiversity is, why it's important, what's causing the loss of biodiversity in Canada and around the world, and what can be done to protect it.

Biodiversity Fast Facts summarizes everything in a handy three-page format.

You'll also find inspiration in the pages that follow. The Success Stories provide a wealth of ideas on how communities can take action to protect biodiversity. Read about what groups across Canada and internationally have done to conserve genetic diversity, monitor species, protect and rehabilitate habitat, and manage resources in a sustainable manner. You'll also discover lots of resources for further information in each of these areas. The Personal Action Checklist at the back of this publication has some excellent suggestions on changes you can make in your own life to protect the diversity of life on this planet. If this Profile motivates you to action, you may want to consider some of the other publications and programs that Harmony Foundation offers. Biodiversity: A Profile for Community Action is only the tip of the iceberg – there is an array of tools available to you through Harmony's Building Sustainable Societies program on water, climate change, greening cities and more and don't forget the highly acclaimed Community Action Workshop Manual.