In an environmental context, conservation usually refers to the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of wildlife and of natural resources such as water, forests and soil. It can also refer to the conservation of energy in an effort to reduce wastage. Conservation issues are becoming increasingly urgent in a world that is rapidly running out of resources; human activity and exploitation of natural habitats have upset the balance of ecosystems and have created a severe shortage of resources that both humans and other living organisms need to survive
Types of conservation include:
- Water conservation - we are currently using more water than the natural world is able to replace, and this is reducing the number of fresh water habitats for local wildlife. It also increases the risk of drought and water shortages for humans. Measures that can be taken to mitigate this effect include the implementation of low-flush toilets and low-flush shower heads, and limiting the use of sprinklers and hosepipes.
- Energy conservation - the amount of energy that humans use, predominantly those living in the developed and developing world, is having a severe impact upon our environment. (See climate change). Energy conservation is concerned with the efficient use of energy by companies, governments and individuals: for example, the government looks to make all new homes energy efficient by installing insulation, double-glazed windows and cavity walls. This means that home-owners will not have to keep their heating on full power all year round, thereby significantly reducing annual energy consumption.
- Habitat conservation - this is a land management practice that seeks to protect, conserve and restore habitat areas for wild plants and animals, and prevent their extinction, reduction, or fragmentation. Many wildlife charities such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are charities that operate with this goal in mind - the philosophy of habitat conservation has become a distinct ideology in which many people have engaged out of concern for the animals of this world.
Useful Websites
www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/conservation
Up to date information on the progress achieved and the difficulties facing animal conservation
This is the United Nations Environment Program's efforts to monitor conservation, with detailed policy reports and current conservation projects
www.conservationfoundation.co.uk
Information on conservation and how individuals can get involved
