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About Biocultural Diversity

1. What is Biocultural Diversity?

Biocultural diversity is the “true” web of life: the interlinked diversity of nature, language, and culture.

2. The Inextricable Link

Over time, detailed ecological knowledge was transmitted through language in human communities. This is how language, knowledge, and the environment are inextricably interrelated.

3. Converging Extinction Crisis

Our world is undergoing a massive loss of species, human languages, and cultures, and our collective “survival kit” is becoming depleted.

4. Loss of Diversity

Human languages and cultures need time to change and evolve, but change is outpacing the ability of natural and cultural systems to respond and adapt.

5. Why Does It Matter?

The loss of biocultural diversity weakens the whole fabric of life — the web of interdependence that is absolutely vital to our common future.

6. What Can We Do?

We humans are also part of the solution! It all depends on the way we think — about ourselves, about one another, and about our relationship with nature. Learn how you can be part of the solution.

Photo Credits

1. What is Biocultural Diversity – © Gleb Raygorodetsky
2. The Inextricable Link – © Cristina Panicali
3. Converging Extinction Crisis – © Veejay Villafranca
4. Loss of Diversity – © Felipe Montoya-Greenheck
5. Why Does It Matter? – © Christopher McLeod
6. What Can We Do? – © Cristina Panicali

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