GREENIE magazine

Our favourite
IGA Character
speaks out!

What is it
and why it’s
good for us!

What makes
our Earth so
special!

h e l p!
u c a n
w y o
Ho
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

Hey Kids,
Have you ever wondered what life would be like without
all the animals and plants that make our Earth special?
My friends at Pearson Education have given us some
great information on how we can look after the Earth
and keep our beautiful planet alive. Without our help,
we might lose all those plants and animals we love .
We can all help, no matter how young we are!

Do your part!
Imagine that the Earth is a web and
that every variety of life – plants,
animals, micro-organisms, humans;
the genes they all contain; and their
ecosystems – are all a part of this
complex web and are dependent on
each other for survival.

• Australia is the only developed

country regarded as one of the world’s
17 mega-diverse countries.

• Our nation has 7% of the world’s total

species and a high proportion of unique
species due to a long period of
separation from other continents.

• Australia has the highest rate of

mammal extinctions in the world.
 Biodiversity, (‘biological diversity’) is the variety of life in an ecosystem. It sustains us by
providing clean air, drinkable water, soils for food, raw materials for clothing and the
products we use in everyday life, including housing. It also offers recreation, beauty and
inspiration.
Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity is rapidly declining. It is suffering from habitat loss,
climate change, invasive species, over-exploitation and pollution.
Virtually all of Earth’s ecosystems have been dramatically
transformed through human actions such as changing how land is
used, controlling the flow of rivers and waterways and excessive
harvesting of valuable species.
The current loss of biodiversity and the related changes in the
environent are now faster than ever before in human history. There is
no sign of this process slowing down.
Although extinction of species is a natural part of Earth’s history,
human activity has increased the extinction rate by at least 100 times
compared to the natural rate.
P
 Solutions
Through making sure we recognised and limit the impact of our lifestyles on
the other living organisms around us, we can make sure we have a future
where life in all its diversity can be maintained, protected and celebrated.

There are many actions we can take including:

• establishing wildlife friendly gardens
• purchasing green products
• limiting energy use
• limiting water use
• supporting organisations that are trying to conserve our natural heritage.

Many schools are already part of a Sustainable Schools program.

If yours is not, urge your school to join.
 Although we are part of
the problem associated
with loss of biodiversity,
we are also part of the
solution!

Glossary
Ecosystems: A variety of organisms that interact with each
other in order to live in an environment
Exploitation: When something is over-used to make money
Invasive: Something that invades or intrudes
Micro-organism: A microscopic organism

Learn More!
www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/biodiversity.html
www.csiro.au/science/Biodiversity.html
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/biodiversity
www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/
www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/
www.backyards4wildlife.com.au/
www.nre.vic.gov.au/plntanml/biodiversity/index.htm
www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/
www.biodiversityhotspots.org/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.pearson.com.au/Schools/Magazines