A recent global report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), with the participation of prominent scientists from North Patagonia, proposes hopeful strategies to address the biodiversity crisis, promote sustainable development, and protect nature.
Biodiversity, which encompasses genes to ecosystems, is essential for ecological balance and human survival. However, human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change are accelerating the loss of species and compromising the vital services that ecosystems provide. According to IPBES, delaying the necessary actions could double economic costs in the next decade.
With the collaboration of over 100 experts from 42 countries, the report warns of critical risks, such as the disappearance of coral reefs, the extinction of the Amazon rainforest, and the loss of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, urging for a transformative change to prevent irreversible environmental collapse.
Strategies to Protect Nature
- Preserve, restore, and regenerate sites of biocultural value
Incorporating the needs and practices of local communities in ecosystem management is crucial. An example is the Community Forestry Program in Nepal, which combines decentralized policies with the recovery of degraded forests. - Integrate biodiversity into key sectors
Activities like agriculture, fishing, and urban development must prioritize sustainability. According to researcher Lucas Garibaldi, increasing pollinator diversity in agricultural landscapes can enhance productivity, demonstrating how sustainable approaches benefit both the environment and the economy. - Reform economic systems
It is proposed to eliminate harmful subsidies that damage nature (estimated between 1.4 and 3.3 trillion dollars annually) and establish economic metrics that include social and environmental values. These reforms could close the financial gap in biodiversity and promote a more equitable economy. - Transform governance systems
The inclusion of diverse actors and accountability are essential. A successful example is the management of the Galapagos Marine Reserve, which balances conservation with economic activities such as sustainable fishing and tourism. - Change human perspectives and values
Recognizing the interdependence between people and nature is fundamental. This includes promoting transformative education, nature-based activities, and indigenous knowledge.
A Transformative Change: Urgent and Necessary
The report emphasizes that traditional conservation approaches have been insufficient to halt environmental deterioration. A transformative change involves reforming structures and practices governing the relationship between humanity and nature.
According to IPBES, acting sustainably could generate over 10 trillion dollars in business opportunities and 395 million jobs by 2030. However, factors like power concentration, outdated policies, and unsustainable consumption patterns remain significant obstacles.
Fundamental Principles for Change
The report proposes four principles to guide this transformation:
- Equity and justice: ensure fair distribution of benefits.
- Pluralism and inclusion: integrate different perspectives and actors.
- Respectful relationships with nature: recognize its intrinsic value.
- Adaptive learning: adjust actions according to circumstances.
The document concludes that it is still possible to avoid environmental collapse if urgent action is taken. As Garibaldi points out: “We need a transformation that conserves and restores biodiversity while enabling progress and prosperity for all”.
The Importance of Caring for the Environment
Protecting the environment is important as it ensures access to the natural resources necessary for survival. Additionally, it is crucial for maintaining human and animal health, as well as biodiversity.
- Importance of protecting the environment
- Ensures access to natural resources like water, air, food, and shelter
- Protects biodiversity, the variety of plants, animals, and other living organisms
- Improves human health and mental well-being
- Helps people recover from stress and engage in physical activities
- Ensures a sustainable future for future generations
- Activities to protect the environment
- Conserve water
- Utilize resources efficiently
- Recycle
- Avoid burning trash and bonfires
- Turn off electrical devices and unplug unused connections
- Reduce car usage
- Prefer public transportation
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