Why biodiversity is important to us

Bio...what? is a question we are often asked when the VAUDE CSR Team holds talks on this issue. What is behind this phrase? What is meant by this term, and why is biodiversity so important for VAUDE?

The term biodiversity derives from the Greek word “bio” which means “life”. “Diversity” means “variety” or “plurality”. Biodiversity, then, means the variety of plant and animal life on Earth.

Biodiversity refers to: 

• Species diversity: diversity within different plant and animal species
  
• Habitat diversity: diversity of habitats
  
• Genetic diversity: diversity within individual species that serves as a way for populations to adapt to changing environments making them more likely to survive
  

The loss of biodiversity is just as large of a threat to our planet as climate change. Every day, approximately 100 species become extinct.

At the International Convention on Biological Diversity (www.cbd.int), many countries around the world pledged to curb the rapid loss of biodiversity. Since the international community didn’t reach its own goals by 2010, the G8 countries, together with five large developing countries, initiated "The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity", TEEB study.

The TEEB study assigns biodiversity and all the services that it provides to humanity – such as food, water, renewable resources – a market price. Thus, the actual value of biodiversity can be expressed in monetary terms and incorporated into economic decision-making processes, such as in business or economic policy.

The main causes of the rapid loss of biodiversity include land use and land consumption by humans. This results in:

• the destruction of natural habitats
  
• climate change
  
• the entry of chemicals, such as from industry and agriculture 
  
• the introduction of invasive species.
  

Invasive plant and animal species that are not originally native to the affected locations can spread very quickly due to their great adaptability. As a result, they displace many sensitive native species, many of which other species depended upon by – for example, as a food source, as a symbiotic community (such as fungi that can only grow with certain trees) or as a habitat.

The textile and outdoor industry also contributes to loss of biodiversity. Already at the stage when materials are selected for VAUDE products, the first effects can be felt on biodiversity. For example, the cultivation of organic cotton contributes to less loss of habitat than growing conventional cotton because less herbicides and pesticides are used.

Of course, the manufacturing and processing of materials also have consequences for biodiversity. The negative impacts on biodiversity can be reduced with resource-efficient production – for example, by using less water and chemicals.

The location and size of sealed surfaces at production facilities, administrative buildings, offices and warehouses also have a direct influence on the environment. Four of 13 endangered regional species exist at our headquarters. We are working on their behalf to maintain their habitat.