A lot is rightly written about the worsening climate emergency but much less about the biodiversity crisis and the rapid loss and extinction of nature and wildlife. There is an inter-connectedness in the issues and in the solutions.
We need transformative action across society to tackle the nature and climate crises together. That means increasing the scale and ambition of nature-friendly farming, species protection, sustainable forestry and fisheries and rapidly expanding the protected area network
Almost 50% of the UK’s natural biodiversity has disappeared over the centuries, with farming and urban spread triggered by the industrial and agricultural revolutions being blamed as major factors for this loss.
A study by scientists at London’s Natural History Museum has revealed that the UK is one of the worst-rated nations in the world for the extent to which its ecosystems have retained their natural animals and plants.
The UK has lost more of its natural
biodiversity than almost anywhere else in western Europe, the most of
all the G7 nations and more than many other nations such as China.
The UK is consistently in the bottom 10% of nations
in terms of biodiversity intactness. The world’s overall biodiversity
intactness is estimated at 75% which is significantly lower than the 90%
average considered to be a safe limit for ensuring the planet does not tip into
an ecological recession that could result in widespread starvation. On this
scale, the UK’s index reading is 53%.
The Guardian - Nearly half of Britain’s biodiversity has gone since industrial revolution
According to Europe’s latest “Red List” report published by BirdLife International, one in five bird species is now at risk of extinction.
Across the continent, birds that have been the cornerstones of European ecosystems are disappearing according to the analysis which is based on observations of 544 native bird species.
In total, 30% of species assessed are showing
population declines, 13% of birds are threatened with extinction and a further
6% are near threatened.
Key
trends echo findings from the three previous publications of the red list in
1994, 2004 and 2015 and show that declines continue unabated.
The most recent findings which were
collected in 2019 are based on the IUCN “Red List” categories and criteria
applied at regional level. They corroborate conclusions from the State of Nature in the EU 2013-2018 report which found that
only 25% of species have good conservation status. Loss of habitat,
intensification of agriculture, the over-exploitation of resources, pollution
and unsustainable forestry practices are driving declines. The climate emergency is also a growing factor.
These are large-scale systemic threats
and they are very much related to the way our society works and how we use
resources. It is a signal that something is seriously going wrong around us and
that we need to change the way we live.
It is hoped that the latest “Red List” report will help inform local conservation action and national and international environment policies. Recommendations from the “Red List” report include creating a larger and better managed network of protected areas, consistent with the UN target of protecting 30% of land by 2030, with substantial areas under strict protection such as “no take” marine protected areas and “no logging” forests.
The “Red List” report says that carbon-rich landscapes such as peatlands, grassland and forest which can deliver benefits for biodiversity and the climate should be prioritised and efforts to sequester carbon should also be implemented to aid biodiversity. In terms of funding, a key recommendation is to end perverse subsidies that harm nature and switch to an agricultural policy that supports wildlife-friendly farming.
The Guardian - One in five of Europe’s bird species slipping towards extinction
The Guardian - House Sparrow population in Europe drops by 247m
Net zero targets are not enough. We need to build a nature-positive future.
The Guardian - Net zero is not enough – we need to build a nature-positive future
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