Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance

Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance has a prevailing theme throughout the documentary, one of balance. Biological diversity keeps things healthy across all habitats that constitute ecosystems and all of that which exists in the biosphere. This balance is much more delicate than often realized, and this balance of relationships between organisms keep ecosystems running. This natural balance has been perfected over millions of years of evolution, and without it ecosystems fall apart. An interesting note I enjoyed was the inclusion of some harsher environments where organisms are forced to make wondrous adaptations in order to survive, my mind marvels at the concept of organisms “learning” over time how to survive in unlikely places.

One striking point from the video is the importance of this knowledge of balance. Without respecting the balance, we put ourselves at risk. Studying ancient civilizations before us like Aztecs or Mayans reveal great innovation, creativity, and engineering. Yet these civilizations failed most probably because they failed to understand or respect the balance of natural relationships that ecosystems are built on. The ramifications of which led to the collapse of local ecosystems and the life support these civilizations were quickly dissipating without concern. The most important take away from the video was that when we protect our environment, we our protecting ourselves as well.

Neglecting our environment is neglecting the future of our habitat and the well being of our posterity. Our children and our children's children will inherit problems that will escalate exponentially if we continue to grow as a species and disregard our environment.