Studies
have shown that humans are more closely related to fungi than any
other kingdom. In fact, it is believed that mushrooms can get out of the oceans before other creatures and help to prepare the soil for plant growth by detoxification. There are many uses for mushrooms. For example, they are an alternative to Styrofoam packaging and an
eco-friendly alternative to polystyrene. They are an excellent resource to naturally clean up petrochemical spills of toxic
compounds and reduce them into harmless periodic elements through fungi breakdown. This has been shown from
research by Paul Stamets. The Fungi
Perfecti Company also offers mushrooms as a substitute for chemical fertilizers, so Mycogrow fertilizers help plants grow without hurting the environment. Mushrooms
can be used as an eco-friendly way to clean up farm waste by filtering harmful bacteria out of water. They can also be used as fungal insecticides. Pesticides are based on fungi and can replace
the chemicals used to kill ants and termites. Mushrooms can also be used in a garbage
disposal; for example, oyster mushrooms that grow on dead trees that eat cellulose can be used in landfills to reduce
waste like dirty diapers. Historically mushrooms have even been used with their hallucinogenic properties to help prepare people
for death. Scientists at Johns Hopkins University say that the psychedelic drug
in the mushrooms "reliably induced transcendental experiences in volunteers,
which offered long-lasting psychological growth and helped people find peace in
their lives, without the negative effects." Mushrooms have many function-able uses and are a building block to life on Earth; with the current climate changes that society faces, the use of mushrooms as part of climate solutions does not need to be overlooked to help keep Earth inhabitable.
