The Neuroscience Community has a Role in Environmental Conservation

Abstract

We previously argued that the neuroscience community has a role in environmental conservation because protection of biodiversity and the specialized behavioral adaptions of animals is essential to understanding brain structure and function. Preserving biodiversity and the natural world is also linked to human mental health and broadens our insight on the origins of psychiatric disorders like stress, anxiety and depression. The study of neuroscience has become a global scientific pursuit that involves thousands of researchers and has an economic impact in the billions of dollars. As a group of biomedical research scientists, neuroscientists have the knowledge base and public credibility to convincingly promote sustainable environmental actions and policies. Here, we outline several key areas in which we as a neuroscience academic community can participate to preserve a rich global biodiversity and confront the environmental crises that lie before us.

Significance Statement Biodiversity and the global environment are currently undergoing unprecedented threats stemming from climate change and other sources of environmental stress that are rapidly leading toward widespread habitat loss and species extinction. These events endanger not only plant and animal species, but human health and well-being. Environmental conservation limits habitat degradation that leads to disease from pollution, brain injury through neurotoxicity, and mental illness. Therefore, the neuroscience community has a direct stake in working for the protection and preservation of a rich global environmental biodiversity. By promoting sustainable actions, policies and approaches to biomedical research, neuroscientists can and should have a leadership role in developing strategies that will benefit the environment and human health.