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What is biodiversity and how are we protecting it? COP16: What is biodiversity and how are we protecting it?
(about 1 month later)
Amur leopards are one of the most endangered species in the world One million species of plants and animals are at risk of extinction - including more than 20 hummingbirds
Amur leopards are one of the most endangered species in the world One million species of plants and animals are at risk of extinction - including more than 20 hummingbirds
Targets to reverse the decline of biodiversity by 2030 may be missed without urgent action, according to a new report. Leaders and representatives from nearly every country on Earth are meeting in Colombia to take stock of global progress in protecting the natural world.
This goal was a key part of the UN global summit on biodiversity held in December 2022. The United Nations biodiversity summit, known as COP16, comes amid growing concerns over plummeting populations of plants and animals, and damage to the habitats that sustain life on earth, from forests to rivers and oceans.
Nearly a third of all monitored species are currently endangered due to human activities. At the last UN global summit on biodiversity, held in December 2022, nearly 200 countries signed up to an ambitious plan to reverse nature loss by the end of the decade.
The Cali summit is expected to be the biggest of its kind - and the first chance to hold leaders to account over their national plans for protecting nature.
What is biodiversity and why is it important?What is biodiversity and why is it important?
Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth - animals, plants, fungi and micro-organisms like bacteria.Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth - animals, plants, fungi and micro-organisms like bacteria.
Animals and plants provide humans with everything necessary for survival, external - including fresh water, food, and medicines. Together they provide us with everything necessary for survival, external - including fresh water, clean air, food and medicines.
However, humans cannot get these benefits from individual species - a rich variety of animals and plants must work together. However, humans cannot get these benefits from individual species - a rich variety of living things must work together in tandem.
Plants are also very important for improving the physical environment: cleaning the air, limiting rising temperatures and providing protection against climate change. Plants are very important for improving the physical environment: cleaning the air, limiting rising temperatures and providing protection against climate change.
Mangroves provide protection against rising sea levels for towns in the PhilippinesMangroves provide protection against rising sea levels for towns in the Philippines
Mangroves provide protection against rising sea levels for towns in the PhilippinesMangroves provide protection against rising sea levels for towns in the Philippines
Mangrove swamps and coral reefs can act as a barrier to erosion from rising sea levels.Mangrove swamps and coral reefs can act as a barrier to erosion from rising sea levels.
Common trees found in cities such as the London plane or the tulip tree, are excellent at absorbing carbon dioxide and removing pollutants from the air. Trees found in cities such as the London plane or the tulip tree, are excellent at absorbing carbon dioxide and removing pollutants from the air.
Biodiversity: Why the nature crisis matters, in five graphicsBiodiversity: Why the nature crisis matters, in five graphics
Biodiversity: Why the nature crisis matters, in five graphicsBiodiversity: Why the nature crisis matters, in five graphics
How many species are at risk of extinction?How many species are at risk of extinction?
It is normal for species to evolve and become extinct over time - 98% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct.It is normal for species to evolve and become extinct over time - 98% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct.
However, the extinction of species is now happening between 100 and 1,000 times more quickly than scientists would expect, external.However, the extinction of species is now happening between 100 and 1,000 times more quickly than scientists would expect, external.
As a result, many scientists warn humans could be causing the "sixth mass extinction" on Earth.As a result, many scientists warn humans could be causing the "sixth mass extinction" on Earth.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has kept a "red list", external of threatened species since 1964. More than 150,000 species have been assessed, and 28% are considered to be threatened with extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has kept a "red list", external of threatened species since 1964. More than 163,000 species have been assessed, and 45% are considered to be threatened with extinction.
The UN's biodiversity body - known as IPBES, external - estimates that at least one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction. The UN's biodiversity body - known as IPBES, external - estimates that at least one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction - and humanity is largely to blame.
But the threat of extinction varies enormously. For example, it is estimated that 40% of amphibians (a group that includes frogs and toads) are at risk, but 14% of birds. But the threat of extinction varies enormously. For example, it is estimated that 40% of amphibians (a group that includes frogs and toads) are at risk.
In addition, for some groups - such as insects and fungi - not enough species have been evaluated to be able to accurately assess the risk.In addition, for some groups - such as insects and fungi - not enough species have been evaluated to be able to accurately assess the risk.
What are the biggest threats to biodiversity?What are the biggest threats to biodiversity?
In its most recent report, IPBES, external highlighted the damage done by harvesting, logging, hunting and overfishing. In one recent report, IPBES, external highlighted the damage done by harvesting, logging, hunting and overfishing.
Between 2001 and 2021 the world lost 437 million hectares of tree cover, external - 16% of which was primary forest. The destruction of mature forests, which have taken hundreds - if not thousands - of years to develop, can have a very serious impact on biodiversity, external.Between 2001 and 2021 the world lost 437 million hectares of tree cover, external - 16% of which was primary forest. The destruction of mature forests, which have taken hundreds - if not thousands - of years to develop, can have a very serious impact on biodiversity, external.
Biodiversity loss is occurring worldwide, according to the WWF, external.Biodiversity loss is occurring worldwide, according to the WWF, external.
It says recent losses have been highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, where animal populations have declined by 94% since 1970, mainly due to habitat destruction and overexploitation. Recent losses have been highest in Latin America, where animal populations have declined by 95%, mainly due to habitat destruction and overexploitation.
The Natural History Museum in London, external says the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe, and is in the bottom 10% globally.The Natural History Museum in London, external says the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe, and is in the bottom 10% globally.
The rate of climate change is also increasingly difficult for animals and plants to cope with, external, the UN warns.The rate of climate change is also increasingly difficult for animals and plants to cope with, external, the UN warns.
It says that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C, external above preindustrial levels is important to prevent even greater losses of biodiversity.It says that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C, external above preindustrial levels is important to prevent even greater losses of biodiversity.
What have countries agreed to do to tackle the issue?What have countries agreed to do to tackle the issue?
At the UN's COP15 summit on biodiversity in December 2022, countries reached an "historic" agreement to protect 30% of Earth's land and seas by 2030.At the UN's COP15 summit on biodiversity in December 2022, countries reached an "historic" agreement to protect 30% of Earth's land and seas by 2030.
The agreement - known officially as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, external - aims to "halt and reverse" biodiversity's decline by 2030, and for humans to live "in harmony with nature" by 2050 to deliver "benefits essential for all people, external".The agreement - known officially as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, external - aims to "halt and reverse" biodiversity's decline by 2030, and for humans to live "in harmony with nature" by 2050 to deliver "benefits essential for all people, external".
It has four main goals:It has four main goals:
increased conservation of ecosystems and speciesincreased conservation of ecosystems and species
increased conservation of ecosystems and speciesincreased conservation of ecosystems and species
resources used as sustainably as possibleresources used as sustainably as possible
resources used as sustainably as possibleresources used as sustainably as possible
more equal sharing of natural resourcesmore equal sharing of natural resources
more equal sharing of natural resourcesmore equal sharing of natural resources
increased financial support for biodiversity protectionincreased financial support for biodiversity protection
increased financial support for biodiversity protectionincreased financial support for biodiversity protection
There are 23 more specific targets for 2030, including mechanisms to sufficiently finance conservation projects. Governments and private organisations are pledging to give at least $200bn (£161bn) per year by 2030. There are 23 more specific targets for 2030, including mechanisms to finance conservation projects in biodiversity hotspots. Governments and private organisations are pledging to give at least $200bn (£161bn) per year by 2030.
As part of this richer countries will increase the amount of money they give to poorer countries for biodiversity projects to $30bn per year by 2030. As part of this richer countries have promised to increase the amount of money they give to poorer countries for biodiversity projects to $30bn per year by 2030.
Although the 2022 framework was not legally binding, external, signatories committed to demonstrate progress towards meeting biodiversity targets. Although the 2022 framework was not legally binding, external, signatories committed to demonstrating progress towards meeting biodiversity targets.
Does the UN agreement go far enough? What is COP 16?
A study suggests the 2030 targets may already be slipping out of reach because the effects of climate change and habitat loss on animal populations have been underestimated. From 21 October until 1 November, delegates are meeting in Cali, Colombia to take stock of national pledges to protect nature, amid concerns countries are back-sliding on their promises.
Scientists analysed more than 600 different species of birds and mammals. Recent analysis suggests, external most countries are set to miss the deadline to submit new national action plans for preserving nature.
They found that past modelling work had largely ignored the time lags before effects were seen. Key issues include the scale of ambition in meeting specific targets, finance for biodiversity projects in poorer countries and making sure profits from genetic resources are shared fairly.
This means biodiversity loss may be more advanced than previously thought, and the report emphasises the need for urgent action. Colombian environment minister, Susana Muhamad, who is overseeing the meeting, has set the theme, 'Peace with Nature', a call to rethink our relationship with the natural world.
Several presidents are expected to attend, including Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Mexico's incoming president, Claudia Sheinbaum.
Related topicsRelated topics
BiodiversityBiodiversity
NatureNature
United NationsUnited Nations
ClimateClimate
DeforestationDeforestation