Wednesday was biodiversity day at COP27 here in Sharm El-Sheikh. Youth advocates, scientists and leaders from around the world are discussing new research on the global biodiversity crisis and sharing inspiring case studies from new and successful mitigation efforts.
In the day’s sessions, however, what’s become clearer than ever before is just how intricately related the climate crisis is to nature loss. Alongside direct habitat destruction, increasing carbon pollution and global heating is accelerating biodiversity loss. At the same time, nature loss is worsening the climate crisis. It’s a dynamic that deserves the world’s attention.
Also clear from today’s discussions is that truly international efforts are needed to stem the worst from happening for the simple fact that biodiversity and ecosystem health knows no borders. Here on the international stage, the U.S. has a special responsibility not only to lead but to fund solutions that will help climate-vulnerable countries around the world. Supporting countries with rich biodiversity but lacking in resources to shelter and grow it needs to be a priority. The benefits of doing so will help us all.
The scientific alarm bells have been going off for a long time. We know now that plants, animals, and insects are going extinct at 1,000 times the natural rate. Globally, scientists estimate that over one million species are on the brink of extinction. In the U.S. in 2021 alone, we lost 23 plants and animals. These are species we will never be able to recover. The Endangered Species list in the U.S. is crowded with more than 1,600 species listed and many more proposed for inclusion.
At the same time, research has shown that over the past decade, carbon pollution would have been twice as worse if not for the ability of nature to absorb it. Nature’s ecosystems, from the oceans to soils, to wetlands and animals all play an essential role in managing our climate. Preventing nature loss and developing new nature-based solutions will greatly improve our ability to fight the climate crisis.
To this end, the World Wildlife Foundation has proposed conserving between 30 and 50 percent of land, freshwater and oceans. In the U.S., a critical milestone is to protect 30 percent of all remaining intact lands and waters by 2030. Done successfully, these efforts, tied with large-scale decarbonization efforts, would be a win-win for the planet.
The devil is in the details. Often too much emphasis on reforestation, for instance, has been used to “offset” additional habitat loss and carbon pollution. Many projects along these lines are poorly conceived and don’t result in the promised impact. Moreover, saving what exists currently is far more effective considering habitat connectivity and the sheer complexity of these important systems. We can’t fall for easy solutions knowing just how critical the stakes are.
As my colleague Bonnie Rice has written:
Reducing biodiversity means that millions of people will face a future with dwindling resources and food supply, increased vulnerability to disease, and less access to fresh water. It is in our best interest, not only from a moral standpoint, but from a survival one, to conserve and protect our fellow inhabitants of planet Earth.
With global leadership and dedication, we can turn this cycle from vicious to virtuous and secure a healthy future for all. We’ve learned lots today and made many new friends and allies; we’re eager to bring it all back and share it with our colleagues and members.