Biodiversity

__ Your Herbal Tea is Killing the Environment __ By: Ernest Roberts

The high demand for herbal remedies is threatening the biodiversity of certain plants. The plants are being harvested in order to keep up with the high demand for the herbal remedies. The harvesting of these plants is depleting the population of the plants used to make them. To solve this problem people should be paid to grow these plants, tend to them and to pick them for the companies that make the remedies. __ Potential Consequences: __ – There will be less food for the animals that eat those specific plants (more competition for food) – More species dying from lack of food or moving to other areas (invasive species) – Less producers making food and oxygen though photosynthesis

__ Possible Solutions: __ – Pay people to grow these plants in the areas that they grow in best – Find out how to grow these plants without having to clear out entire areas of forest land needed by the animals for shelter and food – Find out what these plants need to survive and grow them in areas that have what they need in moderation. __ The Economy __ – This will create jobs in research of these plants – This would help create jobs for people who are gardeners and would like to make a living gardening