Giraffes, parrots, and oak trees, among many species facing extinction |
It may come as a surprise to learn that even giraffes, parrots and oak trees are listed as threatened, as are cacti and seaweed.
It may come as a surprise to learn that giraffes, parrots, and even oaks are included in the endangered species list, as are cacti and seaweed.
Seaweed is one of the planet’s great survivors, and relatives of some of today’s seaweed species can be traced back to about 1.6 billion years ago. Seaweeds play an important role in marine ecosystems, providing habitat and food for marine life forms, while large species – such as kelp – act as aquatic fish nurseries. . However, mechanical dredging, rising sea temperatures and the construction of coastal infrastructure are contributing to the decline of these species.
The world’s trees are threatened by a variety of sources, including logging, deforestation for industry and agriculture, firewood for heating and cooking, and climate-related threats such as fires. Forest.
It is estimated that 31% of the world’s 430 oak species are threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. And 41% belong to “conservation concerns”, mainly due to deforestation for agriculture and fuel for cooking.
Giraffes are targeted for meat and suffer from habitat degradation due to unsustainable logging, and increased demand for agricultural land; It is estimated that there are only about 600 West African giraffes left in the wild.
Catastrophic results for humanity
According to UN experts, the current biodiversity crisis will become more severe, with dire consequences for humanity, unless humans interact with nature in a more sustainable way.
Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division at the United Nations Environment Programme, said: “The IPBES report makes it clear that wild species are an indispensable source of food, shelter and income for hundreds of millions of people around the world.UNEP).
“Sustainable use is when biodiversity and ecosystem function are maintained while contributing to human well-being. By continuing to use these resources unsustainably, we are not only risking the loss and damage of these species populations; we are affecting our own health and well-being and that of the next generation.
Indigenous knowledge
The report shows how important it is for indigenous peoples to be able to secure their land tenure, as they have long understood the value of wild species and have learned to use them sustainably.
Examples of the types of transformative changes needed to reduce biodiversity loss include 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 in ways that harm biodiversity to support industries like fossil fuels, agriculture, and fisheries. Experts say these funds should be repurposed to encourage regenerative agriculture, sustainable food systems and positive innovations with nature.