Species such as giraffes, parrots and oak trees are at risk of extinction
Unsplash/Alan Godfrey parrot
A report by the Biodiversity Platform, an independent intergovernmental science-policy body supported by the United Nations, says about 1 million species are facing extinction.
In the report, released by the agency, known as the Intergovernmental Science and Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, it is surprising that giraffes, parrots and oaks, as well as cacti and seaweed, are included in the list of threatened species.
Seaweed is one of the largest "long-lived centenarians" on Earth, and some of the relatives of modern seaweed date back about 1.6 billion years. Seaweed plays a vital role in marine ecosystems, providing habitat and food for marine life, while large species – such as kelp – are underwater "nurseries" for fish. However, mechanical dredging, rising sea temperatures and the construction of coastal infrastructure have led to a decline in the species.
Threats to the world's trees come from different sources, including logging, deforestation for industrial and agricultural purposes, the provision of firewood for heating and cooking, and climate-related threats such as wildfires.
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it is estimated that 31% of the world's 430 oak species are at risk of extinction. 41 per cent have "conservation concerns", mainly due to deforestation to develop agriculture and fuel for cooking.
Giraffes target their meat, and their habitat is gradually disappearing due to unsustainable timber harvesting and increased demand for agricultural land. It is estimated that there are only about 600 West African giraffes in the wild.
Image: Unsplash/Shane Stagner kelp is a type of seaweed that can be used to raise animals to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Catastrophic consequences for humanity
UN experts say the current biodiversity crisis will intensify unless humans interact with nature in a more sustainable way, with disastrous consequences for humans.
Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystem Division of the United Nations Environment Programme, said: "The report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services makes it abundantly clear that wild species are an indispensable source of food, shelter and income for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. ”
"Sustainable use refers to promoting human well-being while maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions," she said. If we continue to use these resources unsustainably, we are not only willing to risk the decline and destruction of these species, but also affect the health and well-being of ourselves and the next generation. ”
UNHCR/Diego Moreno The Women of Rio Negro are preparing to plant the soil.
Indigenous knowledge
The report illustrates the importance of indigenous peoples being able to secure their land tenure because they have long understood the value of wild species and learned how to use them sustainably.
Reducing biodiversity loss requires transformative changes, including equitable distribution of costs and benefits, changes in social values and effective governance systems.
Currently, governments around the world spend more than $500 billion a year to support industries such as fossil fuels, agriculture and fisheries in ways that harm biodiversity. Experts say the funds should be redirected to incentivize regenerative agriculture, sustainable food systems and innovations that benefit nature.
United Nations Conference on Biodiversity
Despite ongoing efforts, global biodiversity loss is worsening. This trend of deterioration is expected to intensify as usual.
The United Nations Biodiversity Conference brings together governments around the world to agree on a new set of conservation goals for nature over the next decade through the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework process.
The framework sets out an ambitious plan to implement broad-based actions to transform the relationship between society and biodiversity and to ensure that a shared vision of living in harmony with nature is realized by 2050.
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