Biodiversity is, in and of itself, an important resource. The variety of existing species can inspire our researches and lead us to new tracks in a broad range of activities, for example regarding medicine and new therapeutic solutions.

Because evolution and ecology depend on complex processes, these processes and their components should be preserved. For example, we have seen that the industrial processing of species and meat, since it creates bacteriologically and genetically active environments, "gene soups", also favors mutations and the development of new viruses, and other biological threats.

The example of bees is compelling also : who would have imagined that such a tiny and common animal could be vital to the whole agricultural industry? Without bees, many plants cannot reproduce themselves. Without bees, droughts would rapidly devastate even the greenest areas of our planet. A single element is clearly necessary to the function of the whole of its environment. A single species can make a difference of this magnitude.

While it is crucial to preserve biodiversity and this fragile balance, in many ways, we keep diminishing it, destroying it,  thus reducing our own range of options for survival - and exposing ourselves to potential health problems, or large scale biological catastrophes.

Just as there are ways to protect vegetation, and to benefit from sustaining its development, there are ways to support and co-exist with wildlife. Dolphins are an excellent example of potential "partners for the future" : they are known to save lives spontaneously, and their ability to heal complex ailments still startles scientists.

Other species, some spiders and caterpillars namely, still hold the secrets of subtle materials and pharmaceutical products : can we afford losing assets of this importance? Can we afford losing even one of the treasures of nature which surround us? No. Our own survival depends on the survival of the entire ecosystem we evolve in. We can play with its boundaries and nature, as long as we do not dislodge components from their intended purpose (as discussed in this article about Shamanism and molecular biology).

We should preserve its subtle characteristics, and learn to use them productively, without destroying specimens - because, ultimately, destroying living species damages ourselves and our societies.

In addition to bees, another recent example of such self-defeating abuses is found in Japan. In Taiji, the tragic way dolphins are slaughtered and consumed led to a massive mercury intoxication. And this is currently continuing, until we all decide to put an end to similar excesses. Until we decide that we deserve better than mercury-packed meat obtained by processing a species which could - literally - save our lives.

To conclude this talk, we would like to quote a simple, and self-explanatory example of the wise and harmonious use of natural resources to create prosperity : Willie Smitts re-growing a rainforest in a few years. We believe this is the standard we should set for the well-being of our planet, and ourselves.