As the natural world continues to disappear at an unprecedented rate, a group of over 50 countries—which (as of 10 January 2021) together harbor 30% of global terrestrial biodiversity (using vertebrates as a proxy) and a quarter of the world’s terrestrial carbon stores (biomass and soil), and 28% of ocean biodiversity priority areas and over…
Countries across the world are reliant on a range of services that are based around their natural ecosystems. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) include such necessities as food provision, water security and regulation of air quality that are vital to maintaining the health and stability of communities and economies. Over half (55%) of global GDP,…
The fifth edition of the UN’s Global Biodiversity Outlook report, published by the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), provides an authoritative overview of the state of nature worldwide. The report notes the importance of biodiversity in addressing climate change, and long-term food security, and concludes that action to protect biodiversity is essential to prevent future…
Alex Thornton, The World Economic Forum • Miniature urban forests planted using a method invented by a Japanese botanist in the 1970s are growing in popularity. • Dense copses bursting with biodiversity can thrive in areas the size of a tennis court. • Known as ‘Miyawaki’ forests, the trees grow more quickly and absorb more…
World Environment Day is the most renowned day for environmental action. Since 1974, it has been celebrated every year on 5 June; engaging governments, businesses, celebrities and citizens to focus their efforts on a pressing environmental issue. In 2020, the theme is biodiversity–a concern that is both urgent and existential. Recent events, from bushfires in…
A definitive new global synthesis of the state of nature, ecosystems and nature’s contributions to people — the first such report since the landmark Millennium Ecosystem Assessment published in 2005, and the first ever that is inter-governmental — will be presented to representatives of 132 Governments for consideration of approval in May 2019. Prepared by…
• The Living Planet Index indicates that global populations of vertebrate species have, on average, declined in size by 60 per cent in just over 40 years. • The biggest drivers of current biodiversity loss are overexploitation and agriculture, both linked to continually increasing human consumption. • Runaway human consumption is severely undermining nature’s ability…
