About

As a non-profit organisation whose mission is to inspire people to care about the planet, we believe in the importance of the environment and respect for our world, all its species and ecosystems. We value the integrity and importance of each species as they are all ultimately connected and each one's destiny is in our hands. We believe that there is an urgent need to protect species and to alert our audience — young and old — to this fact. Together with Airbus, National Geographic is putting our passion into action by supporting The Green Wave initiative.

"We're delighted to be involved. It's all designed to encourage people and all sectors of society to "see the bigger picture" and protect the living planet, its life-support systems and, ultimately, our future." Quote: quote by Terry Garcia, Executive Vice President, National Geographic Missions Programs.

Ways That All of Us Can Help Preserve Biodiversity*:

We depend on lots of different plant and animal species for our food, clothing, and medicine. But we are also causing global warming and changing habitats, and so are threatening these species.

To help stop this, we need to save natural resources, like trees and oil, by buying and using materials only when we need them. We also need to make sure the things that we do use have a low impact on biodiversity. To help do this, you can think about:

Food!
Nature keeps plants healthy and fertile — small organisms in the soil keep it healthy too, breaking down things like leaves into nutrients and minerals, while plant pests are eaten by birds and insects. This delicate balance is upset by chemical pesticides, which kill more than just pests — they can be toxic to those good organisms, as well as birds and insects, which "pollinate" crops.

You and your family can help avoid these problems by buying organic and locally grown food. Organic farming is about using eco-friendly methods that help protect the soil rather than drain its nutrients. Buying local means that less energy is used in shipping and fewer pesticides are used to stop the food decaying.

Forests!
Forests, mainly in tropical regions, provide shelter (are "habitats") for more than half of all plant and animal species living on land. Also, many of our important medicines, like anti-cancer drugs and antibiotics, are made from tropical plants. Unfortunately, tropical forests are being cleared at a shocking rate-imagine 40 football fields' worth each minute!-this puts thousands of species at risk of extinction.

You and your family can help support better forestry practices by buying wood products from sustainably managed forests.

Fuel!
The global warming that is caused by burning fossil fuels, which power our homes, businesses, and vehicles, is one of the biggest dangers to species around the world. Warmer temperatures, rising seas and increased rainfall, will change or destroy the natural habitats of many plant and animal species.

Driving a fuel-efficient vehicle, saving electricity at home — switch off lights and don't leave appliances on stand-by! — and buying green power from your electricity and gas, are important steps that your family can take to reduce your part in global warming.

* adapted from "How to Preserve Biodiversity" by the Union of Concerned Scientists

For more information, please see:
www.thegreenguide.com/
environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/
environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/

About National Geographic:

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest non-profit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888, the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 360 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; live events; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com and kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids.

The Society has received the following Environmental Awards:
EPA Climate Leaders Award (2006)
EPA Green Power Leadership Award (2006)
U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Award (2003)
Natural Energy Resources Organization Energy Efficiency Award (2002)