Preservation and Conservation of the Environment

Two ways of caring for nature

As the human population grows, forests are cleared, rivers are polluted and many species are pushed towards extinction. To keep the environment healthy for the future we use two complementary approaches: preservation and conservation. Both protect the environment, but they are not the same.

• Preservation means keeping an area or species in its natural, untouched state, with little or no human use – for example, protecting a virgin rainforest so it stays exactly as it is.
• Conservation means using and managing natural resources wisely and sustainably, so they are not used up and can still be enjoyed by future generations – for example, replanting trees after logging.

Methods

• Gazetting national parks and wildlife reserves, such as Taman Negara.
• Reforestation – replanting trees to replace those cut down.
• Laws that protect endangered species and ban illegal hunting.
• Practising the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) and using green technology.
• Environmental education so the public helps to protect nature.
• Setting up seed banks, zoos and botanical gardens to keep species safe.

Governments, scientists and ordinary people all share the responsibility. A country may preserve untouched rainforest as a gene pool while conserving nearby land through careful, sustainable farming and logging. Simple habits at home – saving water and electricity, recycling and avoiding waste – also add up to real protection for the environment.