What people may not realise is that besides a moral responsibility to restore animal and plant species, we actually need these species for our own survival.
Image via Sustainable Development Goals
Key findings from the summary report
We are in a climate emergency, and there’s no time to argue about who’s steering the sinking ship. The extensive data is available to view, it’s literally happening in front of us, and 97% of climate scientists are in agreement that human-induced climate change is real. We’ve known since the 1970s that climate change was happening. However, IPBES’s new species report is the largest ever in-depth report on human-induced species damage. The report took over three years to pull together, using nearly 150 science experts from 50 countries. It’s a prime example of the achievements in data reporting that can be made from global collaboration.
“Based on the systematic review of about 15,000 scientific and government sources, the report also draws (for the first time ever at this scale) on indigenous and local knowledge, particularly addressing issues relevant to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.” – Sustainable Development Goals
We actually need the planet and ecosystem to be healthy to literally survive, this is not a joke. Forests and oceans provide us with the oxygen we need to breathe, but there are also many other reasons we need a healthy ecosystem. It’s not just that polar bears are cute (I mean they are but…)
We also need animal and plant species for our food sources. Even if we all went vegan, we would still require healthy soil and insects (such as bees) to pollinate plants and grow crops. We also need water to drink that’s clean #justsayin.
‘Up to $577 billion worth of annual global food production relies on direct contributions by pollinators.’ – IPBES
Countries at different levels of development have different levels of nature declining. IPBES reports that this may fuel social instability and conflict. The World Bank also predicts that climate change itself may lead to mass migration ‘climate refugees’. These are serious long-term issues for humanity.
Nature is also culturally and socially important to humans, there are extensive studies that have found associations between mental health in humans and nature. For example ‘forest bathing’ is a known therapy (to walk in a forest).
There are a million other reasons we need biodiversity and a healthy planet, from medicine, and materials to physical health.
“How do we create a future in which both people and nature can thrive? This is the biggest question of our times. In the next few decades we need to do something unprecedented, we need to find a sustainable existence on earth. But how do we do it?” – Sir David Attenborough, How to Save Our Planet
According to the IPBES summary report, the current goals for conserving nature and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals aren’t going to be met for 2030. There is an immediate requirement for ‘transformative changes across economic, social, political and technological factors’.
We need to tackle the root of nature’s deterioration – us.
As individuals, we need to push for climate action from our leadership. We need tougher environmental policies and laws to prevent species being wiped out. We also need to encourage industries to collaborate with incentives from leadership and pre-emptive action.
David Attenborough says we need to understand HOW we got into this position. We need to understand our mistakes to move forward into a better future. We need to connect with nature again to unravel our mess. Read more (or even watch more nature docos!), get outdoors and talk to people about what we can do together!
Olivia is an eco-writer, producer, science graduate & ocean enthusiast. After moving from London to Sydney, she found her love for the outdoors and recycled textiles, which led her to start writing about science and sustainable fashion. Olivia is really passionate about brands using fashion for good and innovation in the industry. She now splits her time between several not-for-profit organisations in communication roles. Olivia is also a Centre for Sustainability Leadership alumni and sits on the Fashion Revolution committee for Australia & New Zealand.