The United Nations Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has released a report detailing the catastrophic effects that human actions and anthropogenic climate change are having on ecosystems around the globe. The report says that a staggering 1 million plants and animals are at risk of extinction unless humans change their actions.
-
Black-footed ferrets are one of the most endangered mammals in North America and are the only ferret species native to the continent. Their recovery in the wild signifies the health of the grassland ecosystem which they depend on to survive. Photo courtesy of Biologicaldiviersity.org.
The IPBES consists of more than 450 scientists and researchers spanning 109 countries. Per USA Today, their concerning report was “unanimously approved by more than 130 nations, including the United States.”
“It [the planetary garden] is in deep disrepair, frayed and fragmented almost beyond recognition.” Thomas Lovejoy, a biologist with George Mason University, told USA Today.
Lovejoy was not part of the IPBES team, Bloomberg pointed out.
“Humanity unwittingly is attempting to throttle the living planet and humanity’s own future,” Lovejoy added in Bloomberg’s coverage of the report.
This report, though highlighting the severe threats to over a million species of plants and animals, pointed out the consequences for humanity.
The report summary presents five distinct ways humankind is damaging and destroying biodiversity. These methods of destruction are as follows:
1. Destruction of grasslands, forests, wetlands and other areas by building cities, neighborhoods, farms and other developments.
2. Overfishing the oceans (the report cites that one-third of ocean fish species are overfished).
3. Perpetuating Anthropogenic Climate Change by continuing to burn fossil fuels. This results in temperature, precipitation and weather pattern shifts that disrupt ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
4. Pollution of land and water. The report cites that, every year, “300 to 400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents and toxic sludge are dumped into the world’s waters.” (Per Bloomberg).
5. Invasive Species are out-competing native plants and animals for resources. The report points out that invasive species populations have risen 70 percent since the 1970s.
The report lists the time frame for massive species extinction as “within decades.”
Robert Watson, who led the IPBES, and is a former scientist for NASA, provided a dire warning to mankind.
“We are indeed threatening the potential food security, water security, human health and social fabric of humanity,” Watson told the Associated Press. Watson acknowledges that this is an ambiguous prediction but points out that the outcome is dependent on numerous variables.
One of these variables is how seriously humankind will take this report. There is a measure of hope. However, it is becoming more apparent that our window for action is growing smaller.
Every individual can play a part, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Per Bloomberg, Lovejoy identifies some simple ways we can preserve the natural world. “We can actually feed all the coming billions of people without destroying another inch of nature,” Lovejoy said. Much of that can be done by eliminating food waste and being more efficient.”
That doesn’t mean becoming a vegetarian or vegan, but balancing meat, vegetables and fruit, and walking and biking more, said Watson, speaking with the Associated Press.
Recent Comments