Over the years this planet has changed. That’s putting it mildly. As mankind began moving out of caves and building societies the Earth began to take on the impact as well, in a much less positive sense. In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, humanity collectively made an advancement. Connections were forged over land and water, wealth and knowledge exchanged, with technology progressing worldwide. However, with these developments has come a cost. In order to fuel the unchecked luxuries of our current world, fossil fuels are burned, creating an all time high in the greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. However, scientists are proposing a solution to this issue—Fungus.
When fungus is mentioned, common things the mind jumps to include mushrooms, toenail fungus, and mold. While all involve the spore, as with most things, fungus is much more complicated than common perception. For as long as time, the vast majority of plants have relied on fungi for a root system. Fungus would act similarly to an intestine for such plant species, helping water and nutrients be absorbed into the plant’s “bloodstream”, or rather circulatory tissues. In return, fungi would receive a cut of the carbohydrates the plant has created through photosynthesis. These mutually dependent relationships create the building blocks shaped to sustain life on the planet.
Studies showed that the root systems of many plants had the ability to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide lingering in the air. Some variations of fungi have antiviral properties that can help sustain honeybee hives. Others are able to break down toxins in the air. In some conditions they may even be used to produce materials such as bricks or leather. Just like fungi are interconnected, the world is too. You could say that we are following the path of fungi (please don’t). Perhaps another benefit of our developed society is that we are advanced enough to get to know about these properties of fungi.
The reason we were able to come into existence in the first place was because fungus existed first. However, those precious little networks of spores have been unjustly treated in the past years. Colonies of fungi have been destroyed at the hands of people ignorant to the benefits of the organisms. Many operate with the idea that if they do not see something it does not exist, so as result the work done by fungi is often overlooked. As a result, multiple organizations have been started in order to conserve species of fungi.
Fungus is what we’d call “extremely underrated” in current times. While it would be considered unwise to keep that moldy pizza slice lying under your bed as an air filter, and certainly wise to get that fungal infection treated, not all fungus are the same. Just like with humans, though certain strains of fungi may give the rest of the group a bad standing, there are so many that work to provide for the world, like how fungi support our ecosystem and sustain what we ourselves have ruined. As controversial as it may seem, not all fungi should be treated equally. So tomorrow, eat a mushroom and think about what you’ve done for this world.
When fungus is mentioned, common things the mind jumps to include mushrooms, toenail fungus, and mold. While all involve the spore, as with most things, fungus is much more complicated than common perception. For as long as time, the vast majority of plants have relied on fungi for a root system. Fungus would act similarly to an intestine for such plant species, helping water and nutrients be absorbed into the plant’s “bloodstream”, or rather circulatory tissues. In return, fungi would receive a cut of the carbohydrates the plant has created through photosynthesis. These mutually dependent relationships create the building blocks shaped to sustain life on the planet.
Studies showed that the root systems of many plants had the ability to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide lingering in the air. Some variations of fungi have antiviral properties that can help sustain honeybee hives. Others are able to break down toxins in the air. In some conditions they may even be used to produce materials such as bricks or leather. Just like fungi are interconnected, the world is too. You could say that we are following the path of fungi (please don’t). Perhaps another benefit of our developed society is that we are advanced enough to get to know about these properties of fungi.
The reason we were able to come into existence in the first place was because fungus existed first. However, those precious little networks of spores have been unjustly treated in the past years. Colonies of fungi have been destroyed at the hands of people ignorant to the benefits of the organisms. Many operate with the idea that if they do not see something it does not exist, so as result the work done by fungi is often overlooked. As a result, multiple organizations have been started in order to conserve species of fungi.
Fungus is what we’d call “extremely underrated” in current times. While it would be considered unwise to keep that moldy pizza slice lying under your bed as an air filter, and certainly wise to get that fungal infection treated, not all fungus are the same. Just like with humans, though certain strains of fungi may give the rest of the group a bad standing, there are so many that work to provide for the world, like how fungi support our ecosystem and sustain what we ourselves have ruined. As controversial as it may seem, not all fungi should be treated equally. So tomorrow, eat a mushroom and think about what you’ve done for this world.
