What Is Biodiversity? And What Can You Do To Protect It?

At this year’s Moving Mountains Symposium, we’re focusing on the Extinction Crisis. Why? Because with a species dying off every 20 minutes, there is real cause for concern. Part of changing that problem is through education, so follow along each Wednesday as we bring you a little more information on extinction, endangered species and biodiversity. What exactly is biodiversity? The International League of Conservation Photographers put together this great multimedia piece that showcases what biodiversity is and why it's important. Watching it, you'll quickly realize that biodiversity is something that affects all of us... and that's why we have a duty to do something to ensure its protection. [vimeo=http://vimeo.com/11499468] Biodiversity is particularly on our minds this week as Friday, May 21st, is Endangered Species Day. Protecting endangered species is a key part of maintaining biodiversity. So how can you help? Here are a couple key endangered species causes that you can take action on right now.

• Save Wild Salmon -- This week the Obama Administration is poised to release a federal salmon plan for the Columbia and Snake Rivers that will either protect the Endangered Species Act or weaken it. Take action to protect wild salmon and endangered species here.
• Stop Drilling in Critical Polar Bear Habitat -- The National Wildlife Federation is asking people to sign their petition to stop Shell from offshore drilling near the Arctic Circle, an area already deemed as critical polar bear habitat. Take action here.
• Protect Endangered Species from Coal Mining -- The World Wildlife Fund is working to protect the waters and wildlife of Appalachia, and area that the WWF has identified as one of the richest, rarest and most biologically important ecoregions in the world. Mountaintop removal mining is injuring the area, and the WWF urges you to take action. You can do so by going here.

There are many excellent endangered species causes out there. Which one are you passionate about? Tell us in the comments below.