Maney and Hawryschuk Deliver Talk on Biodiversity

During M-Block on March 8th, Ethan Hawryschuk and Max Maney delivered a talk on biodiversity to fellow students in the gym. This was in relation to Moeller’s school year theme—integral ecology and humanity’s impact on the environment—inspired by Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’.

Biodiversity is, simply put, the different kinds of life found in one area. The concept of biological diversity emerged among scientists in the early 20th century, with the conflated term showing up in the mid-80’s in several scientific publications.

Maney and Hawryschuk’s talk covered a lot of ground, beginning with aquatic life. Hawryschuk referred to the declining coral reefs alongside the coast of Florida to illustrate the impact that the loss or diminishment of even one species can have on an ecological system. The speakers emphasized that the coral reef is dying slowly, and it needs all of our help to survive. Without the reef, fish and wildlife would be without homes, causing negative impacts and migration. Additionally, the reef is a natural barrier against waves and storms, without which the coastline would be left more vulnerable to extreme weather events.

Pictured is a circle of nature of all the places Hawryschuk and Maney have travelled. Photo by Crusader Staff.

The talk also addressed the Amazon Rainforest and the effects its depletion could have on the environment. Hawryschuk pointed out that wildlife in the rainforest is already suffering with a twenty percent loss of habitable land. To put that into context, imagine twenty percent of land being taken in the United States on either of the coasts. People would be suffering to find affordable homes and jobs.

Finally, the two addressed the Chihuahua Desert and the Little Missouri National Grassland. The Chihuahua Desert is struggling to thrive, and the grasses in the Midwest that had once been as tall as horses are now almost nonexistent. The speakers noted that grasslands in the US have declined by forty percent.

Maney and Hawryschuk wrapped up their talk with a call to action urging students to help. They want our generation to take an active interest in the health of our environment. Hawryschuk called students to “be open to new ideas.” A student asked Maney, “What inspired you to do this?” Maney answered, “The main thing that inspired me to do this was a talk in religion that said we should try to make a lasting impact on the world.”