What Nature Gives Us: More Than You Think

Look around you. Paper, a wooden desk, the cotton in your clothes, the rice on your plate, even the air you breathe, all come from nature. Scientists call these gifts ecosystem services. Here are some of the most important ones.

1. The food on our plates

Almost all our food depends on healthy nature: fertile soil, regular rain, and pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats. Most of the world’s food crop types, including many fruits and vegetables, need animal pollinators to fruit well.

So that little bee buzzing in the garden is actually helping make your breakfast! 🐝

2. Nature’s pharmacy

Many modern medicines come from plants, fungi, and other living things. Famous examples: a compound from willow bark inspired aspirin, and penicillin was discovered from a mold. Indonesia also has a long tradition of using plants like ginger, turmeric, and Javanese ginger (temulawak).

Every time a species disappears, a future medicine might disappear with it.

3. Cleaner air, water, and friendlier weather

Plants produce oxygen, forests and wetlands filter water, and city trees help cool things down on hot days. Nature works like a giant machine that keeps Earth comfortable to live on, for free and without a day off.

4. Medicine for the mind

This is my favorite. Many studies show that spending time in nature can help lower stress, lift your mood, and improve focus. One large study found that people who spent about two hours a week in nature were more likely to report good health and well-being.

In Japan, there’s a practice called shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”: walking slowly in a forest while noticing the sounds, smells, and colors around you.

Easy ways to “recharge” with nature

• Take a 10-minute walk in a park or along a tree-lined street.
• Care for one plant in your room or on your desk.
• Open a window and listen to birds or rain for a moment.
• Look at the sky during a screen break. What shape are the clouds today?

Nature never asks to be paid, but it does need us to take care of it. Thank you, Earth! 🌏