Biodiversity and construction and transportation

- Construction and transportation shape our built environment and allow connectivity between us. These important sectors have profound effects on biodiversity too. Often, construction projects clear natural habitats, contributing to the loss of biodiversity. The extraction of raw materials such as sand, gravel, and timber also leads to habitat degradation and loss. Roads, highways, and other transportation infrastructure fragment habitats, isolating plant and animal populations. This fragmentation leads to reduced biodiversity, by restricting the movement of species. Emissions from vehicles contributes to air and water pollution, impacting ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. The International Union for Conservation of Nature identifies pollution from transportation as a major threat to biodiversity, particularly in urban areas. Okay, so is there any good news? Companies like Starbucks and others have embraced green building practices like LEED, to ensure their construction…