Ecological conservation is the process of preserving the natural environment for future generations. It may involve many types of preservation goals, including those aimed at protecting land, water, animals, plants, and air quality. Some ecological conservation programs are regulated by law, and require people to take certain steps to protect the planet or face legal penalties. Others are simply voluntary, and serve as recommendations for people and businesses who wish to protect the environment. One of the biggest goals of ecological conservation involves educating people about the benefits of sustainable living, as many believe that this is the best way to bring about real change.
Sustainable living is at the heart of the conservation movement. Sustainability can be defined as choosing materials and techniques that provide the things people need today without impacting the survival and lifestyle of future generations. This means focusing on long-term agricultural strategies to feed people today and ensure that future generations will also have enough to eat. It also means implementing strategies that prevent people from fishing a certain species to extinction, or killing off the last of an endangered species for profit or sport. Even natural resources like fossil fuels, minerals, and metals must be protected through recycling or conservation efforts.
Part of ecological conservation also involves protecting the land, air, and water. This could mean preserving wildlife habitats or areas of exceptional beauty. Pollution controls can be implemented to keep air and water clean, and people can be taught to conserve water so that humans will always have access to safe drinking water. Ecological conservation also focuses on the ozone layer. Companies are discouraged or forbidden from using many ozone depleting substances, and investments have been made in finding more sustainable alternatives.
For conservation plans to be successful, they require the cooperation of people all over the world. Many of the most widely used strategies were developed with the help of international groups like Green Peace or the United Nations. Individual nations then adopt these strategies and modify them to address other local issues. These strategies may be enacted into law, or used to guide businesses and consumers into making more eco-friendly decisions.
Public education efforts are a major focus of the conservation movement. An educated public is aware of the long-term effects of their actions, and may be more likely to take steps to protect the planet. For example, cities that work to spread the word about water pollution may help discourage citizens from dumping toxic materials into storm drains. Education efforts in South America are designed to help local villagers switch from slash and burn agriculture, which devastates the environment, to more sustainable farming techniques. Public demand is also a major catalyst for change, and may inspire new laws, policies, and technologies.
