conservation

Untangling the Bay from man-made pollutants and restoring its past ecological beauty is probably an impossible task. However, improving water quality and increasing available habitat for a wide range of species may be as simple as restoring a single dollar bill sized organism: the Oyster. 

If there is any moral to take it is that we must be aware of the nonhuman life that surrounds us every day, and in the Bay it is always worth asking: Did we bring it here or was it here before us?

As I’ve grown older, however, I’ve begun to realize that these resourceful habits were not just good economic decisions. These environmental practices were valuable, as I was raised on the principle of not picking up wasteful habits that are prominent in many first-world countries. 

With the blooming of flowers this spring, next time you see bees in the process of pollination you can now think of their great benefits to the natural world. Without honeybees, agriculture — the glue that holds our society together — may face declining productivity, which would cause detrimental global ripple effects.

Driving past a forest that is ravaged by a fire can often look like going through a scorched ghost town. The trees are charred black, leaves are nonexistent and no wildlife seems present. It is almost apocalyptic as you pass through, with all semblance of a once thriving ecosystem erased in a matter of minutes. 

A study from UC Berkeley researchers and the United States Forest Service details the damages from extreme weather and effects on the state’s unique wildlife. 

By combining forces between our student community members and those of us who call Berkeley and the East Bay home, we can take responsibility and make an impact. Together, the daunting task of overcoming extreme, regular droughts becomes more attainable.

For most activities and tasks, there are sustainable alternatives and environmentally conscious ways of going about them.