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In Vandana Shiva’s “What is
Biodiversity and why is it So Important?” Shiva describes the personal
connection between biological and cultural diversity. They thrive upon one
another while also being threatened by the same effects from world within. Her Statistical
facts that support her claims are well documented throughout this article. The
variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as
biodiversity. Biodiversity
boosts ecosystem productivity by including each species. It is very
important for us to know what is taking place around the world and want to
understand how things work. The
knowledge taken from other countries will assist in making the world a better
place. Shiva’s reading made me realize, her concepts are based on natural,
organic, modern science free point of view.
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“Biodiversity and cultural diversity
hold the key to these sustainable alternatives. Around the world organic
agriculture is again favor and on the increase, and alternative medicine,
inspired by Chinese, Indian and other indigenous knowledge system is gaining
popularity even in the west”- Shiva. I think biodiversity and cultural
diversity are important; however they are not proportionally equivalent.
Similar to biodiversity, cultural diversity includes various factors in
cultures. “Organic agriculture” is important. However, if majority of
population convert to Vegetarian lifestyle; the linkage in life cycle will break. I have experienced alternative medicine
first hand. “In the central Himalayas, millet grain cooked in water is mixed
with buttermilk and used in the treatment of chickenpox.”- Shiva. I was treated
by same treatment when I was 5 years old living in India. Did it work? Yes. Was
it safe? Yes. However, with modern medicines and vaccinations will treat chickenpox
more quickly. If choice presented today, I will definitely choose modern
medicine. This is simply due to daily
evolving cultural diversity we live in. I do not have a time to stay home for
long treatment process of alternative medicines.
“All life forms have an intrinsic
worth and right to evolve freely on their own terms. Humankind is one among
millions of other species. It does not have the right to push other species to
extinction, or to manipulate them for greed, profit and power without
concern for their wellbeing”-Shiva. I think this is a generally opinionated statement.
Every species survive based on greed, profit. Humankind does in openly fashion.
For example, virus and bacteria cannot
survive without a host. In order to survive they are pushing other species to
extinction. Similarly plants also push other species to extinction. Also,
extinction of dinosaurs is to be blamed on human also? Humankind may have part
in extinction of other species. But Biodiversity and earth are like a pendulum.
No matter how much you swing and manipulate the world, earth has its own ways
to restore the equilibrium position.
“The second cause is what I have
described as the monoculture of the mind: the idea that world is or should be
uniform and one-dimensional, that diversity is either disease or deficiency, and
monocultures are necessary for the production of more food and economic benefits.”-Shiva.
Monoculture is the agricultural
practice of producing or growing a single crop or plant species over a wide
area. I think scientific and technological reflections are helping us to
understand earth worldview. Monoculture
is needed as population increases. Humans are advantageous to other species
because we can appreciate the beauty of nature and the world around them. We have
the ability to understand how the world works.
We realize the problems in the world and are developing solutions that
can be put into action quickly with help of science and technology.
