After careful consideration of both sources and the knowledge I have acquired about biodiversity I think that the issues of biodiversity are related to the threats to cultural diversity because the environment people live in develops their cultural identity. Throughout the research conducted in this assignment I have found that biodiversity and cultural diversity are very interrelated. This is because the environment shapes people’s practices, customs, and languages. The environment also provides resources for the people this is why biodiversity and cultural diversity are concepts that are closely associated. If the biodiversity in a country is experiencing problems then the cultural diversity will also experience problems. I believe that the government should be actively involved in protecting cultural diversity through legislation and funding because for many people the environment which they live in is very important. The government has to protect the cultural practices that people have because they enrich the culture in that country.
The research acquired throughout this assignment supports my belief that cultural diversity and biodiversity are interrelated because the environment in which people live shapes their practices. While conducting research on Colombia I found out that the great amount of biodiversity has led to many cultural groups within Colombia. This is also the case in Australia because the report states that 400 languages are spoken including ingenious languages, 270 ancestries, and many religious traditions. Both Colombia and Australia’s cultural diversity has been impacted by the biodiversity of these countries. Australia has taken measures by implementing the Diverse Australia Program in order to promote “the importance of all Australians respecting one another regardless of cultural, racial or religious differences” and encourages “the fair treatment of all Australians.” This initiative taken by Australia benefits its cultural diversity because its citizens will feel more compelled to respect others. A program like this would benefit Colombia because it could bridge the gap between the cultures that exist in Colombia. Another instance in which the government should be actively involved in protecting cultural diversity and biodiversity is exemplified in Colombia. The illicit drug trade in Colombia in hindering cultural diversity and the biodiversity because the drug traffickers damage the land and instill violence into the culture. This is another instance where legislation is necessary. When the drug traffickers damage the biodiversity the cultural diversity within Colombia is also affected because people rely on the land the drug traffickers destroy the land.
I believe that biodiversity and the threats to cultural diversity are interrelated but other people may believe they are not. People may argue that biodiversity and changes in biodiversity will not affect a culture. This argument does not make me reevaluate my belief because the resources the land provides such as animals and crops directly affect the culture. If the biodiversity is threatened then the cultural diversity is threated because people rely heavily on their environment. Arguments against the protection of cultural diversity by the government could stem from the government having too much control. The government could implement programs that do not protect all the cultures in the country. I think that it is logical for government programs to have some flaws but overall government protection of cultural diversity and biodiversity will the preserve all the cultures and traditions.