“World Leaders Meet to Save Biodiversity: What You Need to Know”
World leaders are currently meeting in Colombia for the 16th United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to address the urgent need to preserve biodiversity and prevent habitat loss. This gathering comes two years after a landmark agreement was signed by nearly every country on Earth to protect the natural world, similar to the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals to reduce climate-warming pollution.
One of the key goals set at the last biodiversity summit was the pledge to protect 30% of the planet’s land and water by 2030, known as 30×30. However, a recent report by conservation groups and philanthropies revealed that only 8.3% of the world’s oceans are designated as marine protected areas, with much of that area being protected only in name due to loose regulations allowing harmful activities like fishing and mining to persist.
The report also highlighted that at the current rate, less than 10% of the world’s oceans will be protected by 2030, emphasizing the urgent need for meaningful protection to achieve the 30×30 goal. The gap between pledges and actions is expected to be a significant focus at COP16.
The loss of nature is not only a threat to plants and animals but also has significant implications for the global economy. More than half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature, with insects and birds playing crucial roles in pollinating crops, wetlands storing and cleaning water, and forests sequestering carbon to combat climate change.
Scientists warn that the Amazon rainforest, which houses approximately 10% of the world’s biodiversity, is at risk of reaching a tipping point where large areas could transition from forest to savanna. This could have catastrophic consequences for the planet, underscoring the importance of urgent action to protect nature.
At COP16, delegates will focus on implementing the goals set at COP15, including national plans to protect 30% of land and water by 2030. Despite some progress in areas like the Brazilian Amazon, recent reports show that biodiversity loss is accelerating globally, driven by deforestation in regions like South America, Indonesia, Africa, and North America.
The World Wildlife Fund’s report revealed that global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% over the last 50 years, highlighting the urgent need for action to prevent further unraveling of nature’s functioning. The world leaders at COP16 will need to address these challenges and work towards concrete solutions to protect biodiversity and preserve the natural world for future generations.