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Best friends Frank and Stanley have it good, daydreaming about the comics they'll create together in beautiful Hawaii, where the air smells like pineapples, the clear blue water sparkles in the sun, and dozens of US battleships, cruisers, and aircraft carriers stand silent sentinel in the harbor. World War II is raging elsewhere, but not here-not until the morning of December 7, 1941, when Japanese planes suddenly attack without warning. If Frank and Stanley make it through this infamous day, can their friendship-and their dreams-survive? Or has everything they know and love been destroyed?

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Alan Gratz is the author of the New York Times bestseller Refugee and many more books for young readers.

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Conservation news - Environmental science and conservation news

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Environmental science and conservation news

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During live talks, we have asked our audiences a critical question: Why is nature so important to human beings?

Surprisingly, people have found it extremely hard to answer this fundamental question.

So we put the same question out on social media, and guess what happened? It went viral and the responses came flooding in!

We have created an infographic that summarises the responses received:

Whilst you enjoy and absorb the answers that were provided on Twitter, please help us understand what's going on.

We believe that, because we are part of nature and it's all around us, we take it forgranted. So when asked "why is nature so important to human beings?" without time to consider the question, people find it hard to answer. However, providing time to reflect on the question, allows deep, varied and certainly meaningful responses to flow in.

Once again, this exercise shows the power of teamwork. Just look at the sheer number of responses that we have received. In fact, symbolically we stopped recording responses after receiving 201 responses. Our aim was to record 200, but quite frankly, if we had kept raising awareness of the question, we would have continued to receive a seemingly endless flow of responses!

Feel free to feed back your thoughts regarding this matter by tweeting us or contacting us by email.

Our aim is to use this exercise to help us understand the best ways to express the importance of nature, in order to mobilise people. One thing is for sure. People do have very deep and personal reasons for considering nature to be important.
A tweetstorm is taking place on 1st January 2020, 7pm-9pm GMT. Please get all of your family and friends to use the hashtag #WhyNatureIsImportant on Twitter between those times on New Years Day. Together we can get the hashtag trending globally! To join the campaign team, simply tweet or direct message us on Twitter. Feel free to use and share this banner to raise awareness of the online event:
Massive thanks to everyone that shared their views as to why nature is so important to human beings:

1. On a personal level, nature gives me a sense of peace and wellbeing. An escape from the rat race and a calming influence on the soul. I never cease to be amazed at what nature has to offer. @stevelilart

2. We are nature, nature is us. @Shr0pshirelassy

3. Nature is us, it's everything around us & without it we're nothing at all. The natural world is why I get up in the morning & why I live the way I do, as a vegan with a garden full of flowers who loves our poor planet. @elliebus

4. We are nature, we are animals. If we overstep our boundaries, nature will put us back in our place, despite our best efforts to overcome that @BlackburnTidy

5. Its life. Without it, we don't exist. @AlexandracfPB

6. Utterly absorbing & definitely therapeutic. People in my local park that visit each day to feed the ducks say it keeps them sane. @CondelynneLynne

7. For me, I think nature is healing for mental health conditions and trauma. Also, blue and green spaces, and sounds of nature are evidenced to impact positively on mood and well-being. Even a 5 minute walk makes a difference to health. Which I am off to do now... @jlhallwriter

8. Everything we have, the "stuff" comes from nature, manufactured, from our natural resources. The health and availability of all that we eat comes from nature. The clean water and air is dependent on nature. The Natural environment is our only life support. @ShannBeverley

9. Nature is... That is All @CavendishLucy

10. On a bad day it's wonderful to go for a walk and escape from it all @HCM421

11. Because Nature is the truth! Humans can be false! @mamachildie

12. So the human beings can reflect on: Why are human beings so important to Nature? @2troie

13. Imagine waking up every day on the moon, a colourless barren landscape. With nature comes colour, life and a multitude of exhilarating experiences some may only see once in a lifetime. @pilts1974

14. Without nature we wouldn't live, but of course that doesn't seem to register with some folks, they are intent in destroying the nature we have @guyofwarwick1

15. Nature is happiness in a very elemental way. @CateMS111

16. Is there anyone here who was born in the space? Not yet. Because we are all from the nature! @Karinka52676095

17. Good for your mental health! @searleyandrew

18. It heals the soul @Deeshomemanage

19. Nature brings us a sense of connection, belonging; we are part of nature. It is predictable and reliable (to a certain extent) and brings us a sense of calm. @NurtureForest

20. Nature: - exquisitely beautiful, awesomely mysterious, microscopically complex, pulsating with the love and life of the Maker and sustainer of the Universe:- Jesus Christ. @Bindweed Art

21. Peace, tranquillity and living creatures who at times interact with you, but ask nothing of you, except maybe a little seed @scrappinrappin

22. Because we are part of nature. @JoannaBergerMSc

23. Nature reminds us that humankind is part of a bigger picture. It's not all about us as individuals. Observing the natural world reminds us how amazing this planet is and how we have a role to play to keep it that way. @jaybee20171

24. The best things in life are free ; nature is all the proof we need... @JaneG223

25. Because it keeps us connected to our roots, when we were so reliant on its seasons and bounty for survival. Happening again, but only because of our misuse of the natural world. @jerbillwheel

26. Personally nature brings me inner joy! i dont know whether that sounds daft but if i have had a bad day or not just to watch the swifts, sparrows or bee's buzzing around just lifts the cloud of despair. And dont start me on pond watching! i reckon i should have been a newt @Taff_Towers

27. Because without it the human race would not survive and it is in the main, beautiful. @AngelaSherwin1

28. We owe a huge Debt of Gratitude to nature for all the Resources it gives us and the sense of wellbeing when immersed in it Everybody needs to help it whenever they can and Appreciate and Respect it @Kizzyloves

29. Nature is natural, how we live now is not. We are part of nature, the more we drift from it the less human we become. @Simonparkerwild

30. It is more about what happens if I don't get my fixes of nature. then I feel down and cheated. Observing garden birds daily is wonderful but need to get out and see countryside and trees especially @cm_bagot

31. The world is at peace when you work with nature rather than against it, it recharges your battery's and gives you inner peace, to me there is nothing more than relaxing than listening to our wonderful natural world @lisass771

32. See how long you can hold your breath. How long before you are thirsty or hungry? And how long could you live without a soul? We all need to stop asking what nature can do for us. Ask what we can do for nature @Sharonxmartin

33. We cannot exist without it ... @LindaPluchard

34. It provides a distraction. A walk out in nature distracts from problems. A sensory delight of sound, sights and smells @beztenfifty6

35. Without nature be no us @miniaussiejax

36. Food and pollination; beauty and fascination; well-being and relaxation.... it's a vital part of our fragile world and we have a huge responsibility towards it @pollygilbert

37. It is a feast for our senses, touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste. Spending time with nature in all its forms enhances our well-being physically,mentally and spiritually @Szalix

38. We are nature and we are of nature. It sustains us and helps to make us whole. If we do nothing to keep this planet alive, then we lose all that we are and all we've been given. Every species we lose is a horrible reflection on our stewardship of this earth and ourselves. @LMNaymik

39. Recently discovered that according to Amerindian trad. I'm a member of the Turtle Clan who love water & indeed, all my life, ambling amongst nature especially by water or allowing my troubles to drift out with the tide; I've found to be a soothing & healing balm for my 'spirit'. @PoppyMeze

40. Because we are nature, simple really, to think that is hard to answer shows how out of touch we are as a race....Just saying. @SimChess

41. Nature brings a sense of peace and tranquility and on occasion wonderment. Sounds, smells,beauty ..it can lift the spirits and amaze...take off those wretched headphones and absorb yourselves in the glorious thing that is Nature.. @ArtyKoala

42. Because you can see animals as Nature meant them to be FREE & aside from the beauty of the Landscapes you can BREATH @big_catsf

43. Without nature we are nothing. We are the least important living thing. We rely on plants, the sea, the insects, for balance, for food, for water, for oxygen, for our wellbeing and mental health. They do not rely on us for anything, and I am thankful for all nature gives. @ladybillett

44. It makes me feel restored and wholly alive in the now, especially if my feet are bare @JackumBrown

45. Nature is the perfect distraction away from the drivel a lot of human beings find themselves caught up in e.g. mindless consumerism, the 9 to 5 rat race etc etc @crazydruid

46. Mankind and the environment are interdependent, they will always co-exist. One can't be without the other, and what more could be said to emphasize this point more @GangurdeGeeta

47. Because it is where we originated, we come from the seas & then from the forests which is why we go back so frequently, we all get healthier if we inhale fresh air rather than fumes, we do not need to eat things flown in from all over the world, locally grown food is better 4 us! @RichardOwenVint

48. It's utterly calming... @VictoriaWoolfe

49. Because it is important in its own right. @saradp

50. It was there first, and it will be there when we have all gone. It is the one constant. @Scent_Trail

51. Freedom, a chance to reconnect with myself & with our world. Makes me feel lighter, happier, more at peace. @SpeareRuth

52. Nature grounds us, calms us,nurtures us and allows us to see we are but a small piece in a much bigger world ... just a speck in natures world @cfssci

53. It's important to us because it is us. We are part of nature. @SilentSpaace

54. Because nature helps us to forget our worries whilst having a lovely time @meanwhilegdns

55. We are a part of nature, and live within nature. There is nowhere else. I also value parts of nature that are wild and not human. They are different from us and related at the same time. @KathleenPalti

56. nature gives me peace and appreciate the other things that live within our world @mounthousesally

57. Nature nurtures, nourishes and nurses all forms of life from microscopic to complex human beings... @MGautam_H

58. Being outdoors allows time for reflection, for prioritisation as a holistic activity. It allows you to filter out the frass and focus on reality. Being in nature allows you to recharge, to reconnect, to gain perspective. It levels the playing field and provides the foundation. @ianrobinson271

59. The sounds of birds and animals and life enriching smells of trees, grasses and flowers The flow of rivers and lapping streams abundant with life. What could ever take their place? @JaneJanehomer

60. It's my Xanax @belikeli

61. Nature makes us realise we are not as important as we think we are. @carolinelufc

62. Because much as we like to pretend otherwise, we are part of Nature. No more, no less. @voidthatbinds

63. Green therapy, nature is magic, nature is life, life is amazing, we learn from nature, many things designed around things in the natural world, plants are amazing, many many more things but will stop there @lizgabeth

64. Apart from the obvious, that we're part of nature itself, there's the therapeutic, calming, health giving uplift we get, from being immersed in the beauty and peace of the natural world. @ecolitical

65. There's also a bunch of work on values and how people depend on nature. I found even people who wouldn't admit it were deeply tied to the nature of places they knew well - identity, responsibility, tradition, personal and social relationships. ...personally...food, clean water, things to observe and play with, sense of place, connection to other beings, connections with friends and colleagues, space and perspective, joy ;) @RangerNutkin

66. Without nature we die! @smiffysnapper

67. Nature is life,it provides plenty of services to us. Without nature we have got no life.nature should be well preserved for the benefit of us and the future generations to come.Appreciation of nature gives us good quality of H2o/Air and favourable weather conditions. Nature is life @dextermureka

68. Because it's beautiful and should remind us we don't own this planet we should be honoured to be allowed to live on it as the lower species @Sandie10Burris

69. Nature grounds us. Makes us stop what we are doing & enjoy the moment. Sitting upstairs in bed listening to bird song and watching blue tits and goldfinches in the tree next to the window. Garden full of all sorts of colour. Just being - not doing! @rosharper1

70. I think this question gets at the fundamental misconception which produced the @Natures_Voice unhelpful 'Giving nature a home' slogan... without nature we are nothing and life would be seven different types of hell @BuffDavis

71. Nature is imp to me because it's a place I love to destress,I see all kind of animals,creepy crawlies,birds,butterflies,hedgehogs etc, EVERYTHING!! But more importantly,Nature needs to be flourish and grow, each little creature big or small rely on each other @lynne_mckenzie

72. Nature is eternal, everything symbiotic, all works together humans are none of these. Watching the ponds and the wildlife calms me. walking through the trees exercises me and I don't need any inhaler puffs, hearing the different creatures and seeing different plants rests my eyes, spotting different creatures and observing them is fascinating @ldwgf

73. We need to connect to reality, feel part of something bigger - the ecosystem. Our mental health suffers when we don't. @burtlebird

74. Albeit not widely agreed with, Ecosystem services sum up why nature is important to humans. @gardenbirder1

75. It nurtures our spiritual dimension. @rosemarie_kelly

76. Because it is the force that powers us and everything around us. Therefore, we are nature. @amatuzun

77. Our senses developed, over millenia, in response to nature: our ears to hear the sea lapping on the shore, our eyes to see the green of healthy trees and the red of sweet edible fruits, our noses to detect flowers, fruit, and other creatures. In nature, we are home. @lizmallard

78. It brings a calmness and connects us to our surroundings @houdiniem

79. Because we are part of nature @SuColeman

80. Our survival depends on it and it's beautiful. @EdibleMel

81. We are intrinsically linked with nature without it we wouldn't exist ultimately we can't control it. Nature is part of this planet and it has supported human beings to become what we are now, it sustain us and the other creatures who live on earth and should be respected. @kphilchris

82. We need Nature for food, water, to regulate the air that we breathe, to control water levels, to keep us sane, even for all the raw materials that underpin our lives. Nature isn't important to Man, it's essential. We are a species too - and we may be endangered. @water_meadow

83. Without nature we would no longer exist, insects and birds pollinate plants bringing us foods and beautiful flowers and trees we can look at and it gives wildlife homes. it also helps oxygenate our air. @sharonbabes1

84. Absolutely vital for mental health. Taking a walk in nature for half an hour each day is as good as anti-depressants (my GP said this, I had a bad reaction to anti-depressants!). @Hedgewitch66

85. Nature Alone Heals- Florence Nightingale. @TheNatureNurse

86. Put simply, we would not exist without it. @ColeyArtAstro

87. Nature is vital, it has not only inspired humans centuries but brought pleasure, tranquillity & sense to an ever frustration world. Respect Earth, show tolerance and understanding to all animals. @Melis72Cares

88. Just viewing images of nature evokes a sense of calm and peace. When outdoors it is intensified and one can feel the life of water, trees, plants and animals it is rejuvenating to us in a deep meaningful way. Maybe it's because we are all connected as earthlings, we are family. @jewelsfrazier68

89. Many reasons: https://bit.ly/2E70sXO For feel good & functioning well - sys review: https://bit.ly/38tKB3l Here's a 1000 good things in nature: https://bit.ly/35m0iri As a connection to nature explains pro-nature behaviour: https://bit.ly/359SXLD As humans are part of nature @findingnature

90. Nature grounds me. It also gives me a feeling of wonder. Without it we wouldn't be here, no food to eat and not much other than ourselves to keep us company. @joboxer12

91. Nature is at the root of our existence. We live within it and dissolve back into it when we die. It is more intricate and exquisite the closer we look, and no matter how much we don't look, its fate determines our destiny. @NaturalWorld

92. Without nature's wellbeing we are without human wellbeing @HNEscapesCIC

93. For us nothing heals like being out in nature, we both have ptsd, nothing helps more than watching, seeing & respecting it. Yes we definitely need to do more to protect & preserve it. Nature is precious in every sense. Our survival depends on it! @G_T_Photography

94. Human IS nature. Our limbs organs skin bones eyes thoughts feelings IS us.. ONE ..oh this headache @ReiiMiir

95. Nature sustains our whole lives, without every aspect we could not and would not exist. On a more personal level, to be surrounded by nature is happiness itself @EmmaHoShing

96. Humankind needs a connection to survive in this vast Universe; this connection is Nature. Simply put without it we are lost. The birds the bees. The trees we lean on. The flowers are Earth's fragrance. Our breath of fresh air the mountains the rivers the oceans. @CherScheff

97. Utterly fascinating and inspiring. Foraging wild food. Professional biological research. Providing clean air and water. Providing ecosystem for crops, I.e. food security, soil, water, pollination services. Decomposers that clean away human rubbish, fungi, bacteria etc. providing a climate which is good for humans. mental wellbeing @LewistheSnail

98. We need nature to connect us back with something bigger than ourselves. It helps bring us peace in times of stress. It helps us evaluate, and makes us understand how insignificant we are as individuals compared with great outdoors @loufarrar01

99. Humans have outlived their usefulness on this earth. We are only taking. A small minority is not enough to save it. I prefer a quiet place with no people. A city swarming with people is an anathema to me. A child born into this world is not special. An endangered animal or a rare insect or plant is. They cannot be replaced. Humans replace themselves every few minutes @The1980rules

100. Nature is essential to our lives. We are part of it. We are born, grow and live with it. Therefore, its importance is the main reason why we should appreciate and protect it. Just as we care about ourselves, we must take care of nature as well. @bathorjaadelina

101. It calms me and makes me feel connected to the whole of life on the planet. It gives inspiration and a sense of wonder. @lindaStarfish

102. i think the phrase "mother" nature is no accident @NeilJamesHarvey

103. Wellbeing @Sprokitt

104. It's been part of my life since I moved to a post war council estate out in the countryside, I then moved to a career in dairy/arable agriculture, & still relief milking, wouldn't change a thing. @Stevemills1953

105. Nature came b4 us nature is beautiful often awe inspiring and it would be a sad old grey world without it, Nature rocks @Georgie_g_

106. Nature is part of who I am. If I'm out in a natural environment then it feels like I'm in the right place, where I should be. @Dr_summer

107. We are part of nature although many of us forget @greatbandshere

108. We should go Hand in Hand with Nature, we both would not survive without the other. @DavidjBeare2

109. We stand on the earth, we look at the sky, we breath the air, we smell the flowers and the sea, we hear a blackbird sing, we feel alive. @carol_falaki

110. Because without it we are diminished as a species @ScotcAvfc

111. Without the Natural world, humans would die out. In fact the one thing that would guarantee the Natural Worlds' survival is the demise of the human race. But I guess that's a little extreme @fo5tered

112. It's because we ourselves are a part of nature. Despite all our foolish efforts to convince ourselves we are something else, we are animals no different than any other. Nature is our home, our environment, we are inextricably linked to it and we NEED it for our very survival. @LadyMaji

113. Nature places no demands on you or your time, slowing down to sit/stand/walk immediately calms you. It is also resilient, no matter how we try to tame it, it will always come back long after we have gone. @morethanmum

114. It helps my anxiety. Nature makes me feel calm & reminds me to be mindful of the world around me through engaging all of the senses. It allows me to just be. @SarasWorld10

115. Without it you just have concrete and litter @Hopeforfreedom2

116. It makes me feel I belong somewhere in a world that increasingly feels alien to me. Being on my own in the natural world gives me contentment, joy and a feeling of calm. @RobertaBirder

117. PS fresh air oxygen beauty @SITselect

118. Fresh air; peace, no humans; we need nature & wild areas to support bio diversity; it is important to wildlife - humans come second @lizziwalt

119. Aside from the selfish/self-preservation issues, need ask what right do we have to needlessly destroy something that's taken millions of years to perfect a non-destructive, self-perpetuating life (mostly) in harmony with everything else? @garubythroat

120. Because we ARE nature. Life is one thing, not many. @rogerrryates

121. We are inherently a part of the whole. We are the only species that doesn't actively provide for the ecosystem, instead we take from it but without nature, we'll be the 6th mass extinction. @Millipuss1

122. We are an interconnected web of life - without any part of it we are diminished. As David Attenborough put it recently regarding other animals, we should all remember that we've no more right to be here than they have. @KMacgilchrist

123. It is a system of which we are part of it. It is important to learn how to co-exist with it. Disturbance or interfering with how it works, only leads to negative consequences. @chiragithinji

124. Renewal & connection @ishayantra

125. Without nature there will be no humans - that's quite important. @CpeAnn

126. We are all part of the same life on this planet @cricketbiddy

127. Nature rejuvenates us by raising our spirits. It provides re-creation and refreshment. It makes us feel accepted: it's non-judgemental. All the antagonism we (can) feel among people just melts away. @LittleKPQuotes

128. It's BEAUTIFUL LIFE, we need it to feel better. ALL OF IT. @Kimberl14853040

129. If we didn't have nature there will be no us, nothing, nada. @yellowberry98

130. Because nature means life!! @Carozo57035065

131. No nature no humans. @RopewalkG

132. For our health and wellbeing. To disconnect, re-focus, recharge- for resiliency in a crazy world!! @tarathrnt

133. It's our life support. Without nature we die. @veteco

134. Because we are a part of nature. We have been granted with a large, complicated brain that has, over the years, only taken our species into account. Thus the planet is in danger. Without us life would still go on but without everything else we would become extinct. @JennerBetty

135. Nature has, at one point or other, provided us with everything we ever needed - food, shelter, medicine, and now, more than ever, with a sense of well-being. Without it, we are dead. @TycjanC

136. We have so much to learn from Nature @Michael041247

137. Nature is important to me for my mental health and stability @JulieMi62826581

138. Food and clean water, social interactions, priceless (and free) ecosystem services @yoannlemain

139. We are part of nature if you look at a jigsaw puzzle and a piece is missing then the picture doesn't work the same with nature something gets taken out and something else with supper and will not work @James03418107

140. To be at one with nature is what we all need, it is beautiful and healing but also fragile so we must respect nature and all its inhabitants. @sheilad58

141. It surrounds us, and we belong to nature. @KevindMcIntosh

142. Humanity is part of nature, although some feel attracted to the manmade environment @Michael57229696

143. el mar, la tierra para cultivar, el aire para respirar. Llegará el momento, que estará tan contaminado que no lo podremos usar y llegará nuestra muerte. Translates to: the sea, the land to cultivate, the air to breathe. The time will come, it will be so contaminated that we cannot use it and our death will come. @gladysester66

144. Porque la naturaleza es importante? Porque de ella dependemos y nuestra obligación es protegerla, no acabarla. Translates to: Why is nature important? Because we depend on it and our obligation is to protect it, not end it. @kiddo_13

145. The evidence base is developing. Medical research in Japan suggests lowering of cortisol, equalisation of systolic blood pressure, boosts parasympathetic nervous system and more. I am running Research in Scotland looking at what is IN trees that does this! Happy to share @NatureTherapyC1

146. Apart from the pleasure it brings we'd all be dead without It.! @alannjet

147. It's one of the few things that reduces my anxiety and makes me feel peaceful. @clarehurd

148. We are only one, and the least important and most destructive, part of what keeps the Earth going. Even in the heart of Inner London I have to breathe the trees and watch the birds, bees etc bravely struggling to keep going. @60isnew18

149. Nature is important because it connects us with the essence of who we are. Nature teaches us to be present and mindful. It calls on us to care about the environment, to be kind and take responsibility for it's preservation and survival. @thechangeisyou1

150. @LucyGough5

151. Because nature gives us everything we need and more besides we will all perish without her @MaryJeanUK

152. Getting back to reality, just being part of it, old geezer with a camera! @hermit82857782

153. Nature provides food, water and oxygen. It's also incredibly enjoyable to watch the goings on of a healthy ecosystem. Without a healthy natural world the human race won't survive. @bustaseed1

154. It's a vital and cyclical relationship. Being outdoors in nature makes us look outwards and see the inter-connectivity between all living things, which in turn makes us think about our own beliefs and actions, and how we interact with the world, in a different way. @DaydreamerAndi

155. Nature needs to be preserved for humans AND the animals & plants that live there. With mankind spreading out into animal habitat, more species are endangered or become extinct every week. Americans have national parks & reserves to enjoy. We are lucky for these. @gbcreque

156. Nature is everything, because without it, there is nothing. Nature is the source, and the basis, of all life. We need her to survive. Beyond that, for me, nature is my greatest source of comfort, safety, groundedness, and emotional sustenance. @InconvenientTh1

157. Nature has peace about her, i tend to go to her to escape humans. its true @JaneG032

158. Nature is important to us because it's the environment we should living in humans living in cities are not ideal @lisanoel1968

159. Nature is so important - from a selfish point of view as a human it relaxes people's minds, it makes people happy. From a world point of view everything has a right to grow, live and survive on this planet otherwise it wouldn't be here and everything has a job to do in its life @Bobbyloo89

160. It IS extremely important. Keeps us in touch with the Creator-whether you are a believer or not @marjori06880886

161. Sometimes you just can't put it into words - it's more of a feeling @YYonnette

162. Because it is our larger self. We are part of it. When we are out in the natural world we are home. @BoeFox

163. Apart from the fact that we are part of nature (not separate from it); physiologically we depend on plants, bacteria, good quality air, etc.; plus to live well, we need good ecological systems, environment & climate; plus psychologically, access to "nature" helps with mental well-being. @qolfabook

164. Only have to watch the film Silent Running to be reminded @celiafleur

165. It's the beautiful home of wildlife, which gives me so much pleasure on country walks. The amazing sight of beautiful landscapes, the sounds of birds singing and the beautiful flowers and trees. We must respect and look after nature. @anne_collins72

166. Because it's the normal, and all the crap that humans get up to isn't. @IfiwereQueen

167. Depressingly nature is not important enough to a large number of people. For me though it is important to my mental well-being. @mflack66

168. It gives us life and a reason to live. @anitagill_gill

169. Nature provides instant stress release and a playground for curious minds that feeds the soul and opens our hearts. @francesmacguire

170. Perché la natura è anche dentro di noi, e averne paura, danneggiarla e rifiutarla significa autodistruggerci. Translates to: Because nature is also within us, and being afraid of it, damaging it and rejecting it means destroying ourselves. @Quiqueg5

171. Because without it we are lost. @Lou_1203

172. We are nature We are part of it whether we recognise it or not When we harm it we harm ourselves If we turn our back on it we are not complete @CharthamForest

173. It frees your senses @ladybug946

174. Nature is our sustenance. I can't imagine a life without it. @conkers74

175. Time spent in Nature allows me to contemplate my tiny role in a vast and incredibly diverse ecosystem. Its beauty and complexity are fragile yet resilient, and we are just beginning to understand the meaning of reciprocity. Time in nature gives me hope. @jkinneberg

176. There is nothing without it. Bird song babbling streams buzzing bees wind blowing grass all too beautiful to loose @Karenbroderick6

177. Because it is where we live! That's why nature is so IMPORTANT...WE ARE NATURE @theheatherblack

178. It is the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. We are part of nature, and nature is part of us. @bigfeline

179. It is where we come from. We are part of nature. @PolishBaroness

180. In all honesty nature is the reason I am still here....atm I'm feeding a family of crows ...two adults and 4....yes 4 babies ....without nature we cannot survive...I will fight for nature till the day I die @madfan72

181. Outer nature is important/essential to human beings because it's inseparable from our inner nature. Earth, water, fire, air, and space. All living things, our family, share these building blocks of the cosmos. When we harm nature, we harm ourselves and everyone else. Conversely when we protect nature, we protect all living things, including us. If more people recognized, learned, and lived this reality, we'd be in far better shape. When we adopt such realization, future generations will be protected from current ignorance. @EcoNewsNetwork1

182. We're only one type of creature sharing our planet with everything else that makes up the natural world. We should respect and nurture nature and enjoy and appreciate it every day. @LadySG

183. Natures' past, present and future is bigger than the human race yet we have a steward role protecting that past, present and future for posterity. It's a precious, awe inspiring gift that keeps on giving. @PegHolmberg

184. We are part of nature, it provides us with all the elements to live. And yet we are destroying it's very existence. @PoppyOurRabbit

185. The world needs balance to survive and nature provides a part of the balance @AnitaBa50700688

186. Nature takes you out of your little world and into a bigger more important one. It puts life into perspective. I'm sitting in the shade near Beachy Head listening to skylarks and watching butterflies. There's nothing more I could want. @CarolPa04632521

187. For me, it's a matter of getting to know the world I live in and who occupies it with me. @barbarastoner

188. @SPEAKUPJULIA

189. We are part of nature and nature is part of us. Feeling that connection brings multiple benefits to both. @msnewman1001

190. Because we live, breathe and need nature. We are it and are nothing without it. @Sussex_Sara

191. We live on Earth. If everything else dies we will too. Plus the absolute joy of discovering penguins will fight to protect other penguin babies of a different species. @SquidClaude

192. Because human beings are nature @JoannaCDobson

193. Nature can live well without humans but what human would find life worth living without nature? Food for the soul. @Spellitout007

194. Being in nature speaks to my genetic memory. I try to be fully aware moment by moment when I'm out in nature. It's astonishing what we can experience when we're fully aware. @TheVEGWorcester

195. Nature is what we are, though we often forget it in the modern world. Communing with nature helps us to connect to our inner selves and see the beauty of life. @FelicityM

196. Nature helps keep me grounded and connected, it's my escape away from the constant 'noise' of modern life. It makes me feel totally alive and is my happy place enjoying and recording flora & fauna and the seasons with art and photography @B33Photography

197. It's because our lives would cease to exist or have meaning without being surrounded by nature. People underestimate how every plant and animal plays a part in maintaining a healthy balance that unfortunately some humans are doing their best to erode. @LouiseFletcher3

198. People seem to forget that WE are animals, too. We evolved IN nature. It keeps us sane, feeds our spirit and makes us healthier. In the wider sense, without the natural environment we would not have enough food to eat, clean water to drink, or breathable air. It's our home. @BethBBee1

199. Nature noun the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth. There simply is no us without it. @akkie42

200. i learned to love nature as a child. Dartmoor always meant freedom to me then and still does. There is something about the natural world that calms the soul. @PhyllisRosemary

201. Nature is life - past and present. Nature is food, shelter, peace and quiet space for inner contemplation. Nature cannot be replaced by technology. Nature cannot be shoved under the rug. We cannot survive without nature. The time to love all nature - is now. @ForCreekMeadows

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Why is nature so important to human beings? - Team4Nature

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During live talks, we have asked our audiences a critical question: Why is nature so important to human beings? Surprisingly, people have found it extremely hard to answer this fundamental question. So we put the same question out on social media, and guess what happened? It went viral and the responses came flooding in!

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Forests are essential for nature, people, and a stable climate - in the UK and around the world. But they're threatened by deforestation and degradation. We can restore our vital forests and help to protect the wildlife who depend on them.

How we can help forests

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WWF is the world's leading independent conservation organisation. We ensure that people and nature can thrive together for generations to come.

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The overconsumption of natural resources leads to environmental degradation and negative impacts on our society. We are quickly consuming our way toward a world where there will be few resources left for future generations. This is at a time when global population growth is reaching unprecedented rates, so it is essential to address humankind's habit of overconsumption for the sake of a better future.

This article will provide an overview of what overconsumption is and what resources are being consumed at an unsustainable rate. We'll look into how overconsumption of natural resources affects the environment and what we can do to change the way we use our resources.

Many of the natural resources our society uses are diminishing due to overconsumption . Overconsumption means consuming resources that we cannot replenish or that cannot sustain themselves at the rate we are consuming them. Ecosystems are unable to cope with excessive resource extraction , resulting in biodiversity loss and the deterioration of the natural world. When a resource is depleted entirely from an area, it is likely gone forever.

An example of overconsumption is found in the logging industry. Logging requires harvesting trees from forests. The timber is used for construction and paper manufacturing. It's also burned as fuel. People around the world rely on timber for shelter, heat, cooking, and paper products. The overconsumption of timber in a particular region can result in deforestation. Since 1990, we have lost 420 million hectares (over 1 million acres) of forest land.

Overconsumption of natural resources is a significant threat to the environment and to civilization around the world. The environment is incapable of replenishing the resources if we use them too quickly. Once these resources are gone, humans around the world will suffer due to a lack of access to essential resources like water, food, materials for housing, and materials for heating. It is imperative for us to get a grasp on our tendencies to over-consume for the sake of the planet and human life.

Natural resources need time to replenish themselves. Sections of forests need to grow after logging occurs in the area. Fish populations need time to restore after commercial fishing. Consumption of natural resources affects all aspects of our world, and it is our responsibility to practice sustainable consumption so our planet does not become severely damaged.

If we are not careful in monitoring the human consumption of natural resources , we will see these resources decline. Natural resources that take longer to replenish themselves may face permanent depletion . Natural resources that can replenish themselves may become so low that the amount of time it would take for them to replenish to a healthy level could spell disaster for human society and the ecology on Earth.

We consume many types of natural resources for various purposes. The primary natural resources we consume today fall under two categories: non-renewable resources and renewable resources. Non-renewable resources have taken nature a very long time to produce. Renewable resources are replenished at a much faster rate. Below, we'll cover each of these categories in more detail.

Non-Renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources are those that form over millions of years and will not replenish for another long stretch of time or are not able to replenish at all due to the current conditions on Earth. These resources include fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. Non- renewables also consist of resources that must be mined, like metals, ores , diamonds, sand, and other raw materials .

The consequences of running out of non-renewable resources could have devastating economic impacts. For example, more than 80% of the world's energy still comes from oil, coal, and natural gas. In the event that fossil fuels became unobtainable, the economy would suffer greatly, and the world would be in need of a source to meet its energy consumption needs.

Renewable resources are those that naturally replenish themselves in a significantly shorter amount of time. These resources consist of energy like wind and solar. They also include food sources like fish, animals, and plant-based foods. Lumber is also included in this category.

Renewable resources like wind and sunlight are limitlessly renewable . We can use the sources for power generation without worrying about depleting them. Other renewables like our food sources and lumber from forests must be monitored more closely to ensure we avoid overconsumption of natural resources .

Above, we mentioned the delicacy of forest lands when it comes to overconsumption due to the lumber industry. Another example of renewable resources that can come under pressure from overexploitation is fish populations. Globally, 34% of fish populations are overfished. Overfishing results in a decline in the total fish population of a particular stock.

Overconsumption also affects fertile land for farming and water resources. If we do not start using renewable natural resources wisely, we could face shortages in essential goods we harvest from nature.

The number of natural resources consumed varies by nation and generally is correlated with the amount of wealth a nation has. Wealthier nations consume 10 times more natural resources than developing countries .

The abundance of consumption in North America is predominantly due to the United States. According to Scientific American , in one American's lifetime, they will consume 53 times the amount of goods and services as someone from China and as many natural resources as 35 residents of India.

The changes we make to some natural resources have a direct impact on the environment by altering landscapes and harming biodiversity. Other natural resources are harvested as part of industries that cause greenhouse gas emissions and carbon emissions , accelerating global warming and climate change .

Every action we take has some effect on our environment. Take the construction industry, for example. The construction industry requires metals that are mined from the Earth for use in machinery and building supplies. It also requires the use of sand and lumber as building materials. The industry's operations come with the consequences of burning fossil fuels . The toll of this entire industry plays a large role in the overall status of the environment when you account for all the natural resources that must be harvested and used.

There are many industries like construction that rely on a chain of natural resources that ultimately contribute to the overconsumption of natural resources and the deterioration of the environment. Protecting our lands and oceans through a switch to sustainable resources and using them responsibly is our best opportunity for the preservation of Earth's many ecosystems .

What Do Humans Consume the Most?

The reason we consume so much sand largely comes down to construction and the large-scale urbanization the world is experiencing. Sand is primarily used for mixing concrete, and we use a significant amount of it, extracting 50 billion tons of it each year. The consequences of sand mining include the deterioration of river systems and ocean habitats as sand is removed in vast quantities from these areas.

The primary threat to fresh water is climate change , which has caused severe droughts in many regions around the world and threatens water supplies.

While 70% of Earth's surface is water, 97.5% of that water is ocean water . Fresh water is found frozen at the poles, on Earth's surface in rivers and lakes, and in underground aquifers. According to BBC, 21 of Earth's 35 major aquifers are receding due to overconsumption of water as nations around the world are forced to meet growing demand.

The best way to slow the overconsumption of natural resources and protect our planet is to monitor our consumption patterns , create new ways to preserve them, and practice resource management . We should focus on transitioning from non-renewable resources to resources that can replenish themselves. This transition will preserve the environment, the economy, and human civilization in the future.

New technologies that improve the efficiency of renewable energy can provide power solutions at practically no cost to planet Earth. Finding more effective means for agriculture and food procurement can protect animal stocks and natural lands around the world while providing food for a growing world population .

Finally, we can each play a role in reducing our consumption levels by remaining aware of how our daily activities contribute to our ecological footprint and personal resource use . Each one of us has the power to limit the amount we consume and reuse materials as much as possible. Doing so will result in an improvement in Earth's well-being .

Overconsumption is happening to many of our natural resources , and we must take action to protect them. Conserving natural resources will improve economic growth and limit environmental impacts .

Learn how Terrapass can help you reduce your carbon footprint and offset your consumption.

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Overconsumption of Natural Resources | The Problems We Face

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The overconsumption of natural resources leads to environmental degradation and negative impacts on our society. We are quickly consuming our way toward a world where there will be few resources left for future generations. This is at a time when global population growth is reaching unprecedented rates, so it is essential to address humankind's habit of overconsumption for the sake of a better future.

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Support Black-owned businesses this holiday season

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Animals play a much larger role in maintaining a healthy environment than they are often given credit for. The loss of just one species can have a ripple effect on entire ecosystems causing irreparable damage that can often go unpredicted. For example, a plant-eating insect going extinct means that the plant populations that it once controlled can grow rampant and choke out other plant species. The animals who depended on the other plants for food or shelter in turn do not have enough food and are at risk of extinction themselves.

How Do Animals Help the Environment?

Animals play an essential role in maintaining a healthy environment. Among other ways, they help with pollination, pest control, and climate control. Read on for just a sampling of some interesting ways that animals support the environment that we enjoy.

Animals Who Help the Environment

Bats Are Natural Pesticides

Scientists have discovered that bats can eat up to 1,000 insects in an hour. Just one colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in Texas consisting of 20 million bats is capable of eating 220 tons (or 55 elephants worth) of insects in a single night! Bat species play a vital role in maintaining insect populations and helping to control pest populations, such as mosquitoes. This role is perhaps most important to the agricultural sector where insects can cause disease in animals and destroy crops. The value that bats supply for the agricultural industry in the role that they play in pest control has been estimated to be over 3.7 billion a year in North America alone.

Bat Populations Are Declining

Unfortunately, bats are disappearing. Their decline in population is being driven by habitat loss, disturbance during hibernation, and disease. Bats are also likely being threatened by the use of chemical pesticides. Research that sampled bat tissue for contamination of pesticides found that all sampled bats, all of which originated in the Indiana region of the United States, tested positive for at least one type of pesticide. The presence of pesticides within bat tissue brings up serious questions pertaining to the impacts of environmental toxins on bat populations.

Beavers Combat Climate Change

The behavior of beavers and their tendency to alter landscapes means that they often have large impacts on the environment.

Beaver Migration

Increasing temperatures have allowed beavers to move into areas that previously would have been covered by ice and thus impractical for beavers. This increase in beaver populations and associated ponds created by their dams increases water temperature and melts ice more quickly.

Beaver Prevent Fires

Beaver dams and the ponds that they create help to keep the soil moist and green vegetation alive. These traits in turn help to prevent wildfires even in droughts. Every year wildfires account for between 5 and 10 percent of CO2 emissions. The more fires can be prevented the less CO2 will be emitted into the atmosphere.

The wetlands created by beaver dams also hold an astounding amount of carbon dioxide. The existing beaver ponds store an estimated 470,000 tons of carbon a year. In addition to the positive impact that they have on the environment, beaver dams also play a critical role for other wildlife, as they provide a reliable source of water.

Threatened Beavers

Unfortunately, despite the many environmental benefits of beavers and their dams; they are often viewed as pests. This often results in beaver dams being destroyed and beavers being trapped and killed.

Bees Are Powerful Pollinators

Bees and other pollinating insects play a critical role in the food chain. In fact, bees may play a direct role in one out of every three bites of food we eat. The tiny insects are capable of this feat, as they spend most of their lives collecting pollen. An individual bee tends to focus on one species of flower when collecting pollen meaning that they are likely to spread pollen from one plant to another of the same species. In addition to the essential role that bees play in agriculture, their activity also supports the pollination of a variety of wild plant species.

Birds Balance Nature

The roles that birds play in supporting nature and the environment are numerous. They perform pest control by eating insects, certain species act as nature's clean-up crew by eating carcasses, and they even contribute to plant growth and protect against erosion by burying seeds that will grow into trees with roots that anchor the soil. Birds also support economies, as their beauty is enough to draw tourists from around the world.

Butterflies Help Pollinate

Though not as efficient as bees, butterflies contribute to the pollination of a variety of flowering plants. Butterflies will land on flowers in search of nectar; in the process, they often pick up pollen which is then transported to other plants. They prefer wildflowers with flat faces that grow in clusters providing ample reward for their efforts.

Elephants Create a Source of Water for Other Species

Elephants play a critical role in their native habitat. During times of drought, elephants will dig up dry waterbeds, creating watering holes for themselves and other species. In addition to this, elephants will also eat plants and disperse the seeds, fresh and fertilized, in their dung.

Fish Excrement Helps the Oceans Climate

Fish feces are one of the most efficient mechanisms for long-term carbon storage. The feces can lock carbon away for 600 years. Unfortunately due to overfishing, the number of fish and the amount of fish feces present in the water has decreased negatively impacting the amount of carbon being stored in feces.

Llamas Patrol Farms

Llamas are naturally prone to protect animals who they bond with. For this reason, they make excellent guardians for farmed animals and farms. Including a llama in a flock of sheep protects against predation from coyotes and stray dogs while also preventing the use of more drastic measures such as trapping. The sheep are able to spend time outside in a field without fear of predation.

Narwhals Assist Scientists

Narwhals have proven invaluable for scientists seeking to understand the melting ice in the ocean surrounding Greenland. Because much of the coast of Greenland is covered in ice year-round making it virtually inaccessible to human researchers and their vessels, scientists turned to narwhals who visit the research area as part of their migration. By tagging fourteen narwhals with sensors, scientists have been able to gather data on water salinity, depth, and temperature as well as learn more about narwhal behavior.

Octopi Are Avid Recyclers

The intelligence of octopi is undeniable. One trait that shows how smart the animals are is their ability to repurpose items that they find. They have been known to reuse everything from pieces of plastic and seashells to coconut halves discarded into the water. Researchers in Indonesia deemed the use of coconut halves as mobile homes by octopi as the first "intelligent" use of tools by an invertebrate. The animals were able to locate two of a similar size, stack them together, and move with them for distances of up to 20 meters (about 65 feet).

Rats Detect Landmines

African giant pouched rats, which can group to be up to nine pounds, are often trained to sniff out landmines and alert their handler so that the mines can be deactivated, preventing casualties. One recent rat retiree, Magawa, was able to clear 2.4 million square feet of land and find 71 landmines and 38 items of unexploded ordnance over a four-year career. Estimates suggest that rats like Magawa have been able to relieve one million people from living in fear of landmines.

Seals and Sea Lions Help Us Understand the Effects of Climate Change

Seals and sea lions depend upon certain species of fish and marine life to support their survival. When temperatures change these animals change their schooling locations making it more difficult for seals and sea lions to prey upon them. In 2015, record warm water temperatures in California caused an increase in the number of sick sea lions on the beach due to mothers leaving behind their young for longer periods of time to go further from shore to hunt.

Another impact of climate change being felt by sea lions is sickness due to algal blooms. These blooms are made more severe by climate change. The increased severity leads to sickness in sea lions that causes disorientation and, if left untreated, can result in permanent brain damage and even death.

Sharks Prevent Disease From Spreading Among Marine Life

Sharks are apex predators of the oceans meaning that they play a key role in maintaining a healthy balance of species. If remove from the environment, it is likely that some species would reproduce unchecked, potentially leading to the destruction of coral reefs and other biomes. Sharks also play a key role in disease mitigation, as they prey primarily upon weak and sick animals reducing the likelihood that disease is spread widely.

Squirrels Help Trees Take Root

Squirrels act as nature's gardeners. Because they gain most of their energy from trees, squirrels collect them from a variety of plants and bury them. Often the squirrel will forget where they hid their provisions, essentially sowing new trees and plants to replenish ecosystems. Their activity can even expand forests and alter the makeup of plant species.

Worms Keep the Ground Fertile

Earthworms are perhaps the most important animal when it comes to maintaining soil health. The animals contribute heavily to aeration, infiltration, structure, nutrient cycle, water movement, and plant growth. They also help to decompose organic matter as they eat their way through the soil consuming microorganisms as they go. The tunnels they leave behind can last for extended periods of time providing a variety of benefits including aeration and allowing more water and air into the soil.

What Are the Endangered Animals Who Help the Environment?

Every animal plays an important role in maintaining a healthy environment. The removal of just one can have lasting impacts that can be irreversible. Losing just one species can trigger the loss of other species that depended upon the other. As humans, we rely heavily on every animal to help maintain a healthy environment with fresh air, water, and land. Every species lost is one step closer to irreparable ecological damage.

Looking Ahead

The rate of animal extinction is accelerating with one million species threatened with extinction. The loss of these animals will have unprecedented and irreversible impacts on the environment. Some of the largest drivers of extinction or overexploitation and habitat loss. Thankfully, there are steps we can take to reduce the impact we have on threatened and endangered species. One such step is to eat more organic, plant-based foods that are grown without harmful pesticides. Doing so can reduce the land needed for animal agriculture.

Plant-Based Foods: Better for You and the Environment Animal Farmers Respond to the Rise of Plant-Based Meat JBS Promises to Stop Destroying the Environment-in 14 Years

Grace Hussain

Grace is an avid writer and advocate with a passion for exploring animal rights from a social justice lens. She brings almost a decade of varied experience within the animal rights movement to her work as staff writer at Sentient Media.

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15 Animals Who Help the Environment and How They Do It

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Animals play a much larger role in maintaining a healthy environment than they are often given credit for. The loss of just one species can have a ripple effect on entire ecosystems causing irreparable damage that can often go unpredicted.