After a Bitter Fight, European Lawmakers Pass a Bill to Repair Nature
After a Bitter Fight, European Lawmakers Pass a Bill to Repair Nature The New York Times
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European Lawmakers Approve Bill Requiring Restoration of Natural Habitats
Introduction
European lawmakers have approved a bill that mandates European Union (EU) countries to restore 20 percent of nature areas within their borders on land and at sea. This measure, a crucial component of the bloc’s Green Deal environmental initiative, aims to address the global biodiversity crisis and combat climate change. The bill received 336 votes in favor, 300 against, and 13 abstentions.
Modified Version of the Bill
The bill approved by Parliament is a modified version of the original proposal. Lawmakers submitted over 2,300 amendments, an unusually high number, leading to accusations of disinformation among them. Initially, the law failed to pass three committee votes after lengthy late-night sessions.
Political Battle and Activist Protests
The approval of the bill followed an intense political battle, with opposition primarily from farmers who argued that the policy would threaten food production and harm their livelihoods. Environmental experts, community groups, and businesses rejected these claims, emphasizing the need for sustainable food production and the threat of climate change and nature degradation.
Scores of environmental activists, including Greta Thunberg, protested outside Parliament in Strasbourg a day before the final vote. Despite the opposition, the majority of lawmakers voted against withdrawing the bill and supported its passage.
Significance of the Bill
Restoring damaged natural habitats is crucial for addressing climate change and the global biodiversity crisis. The bill aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It also contributes to the commitment made by nations to restore at least 30 percent of the planet’s degraded land, freshwater, and marine areas by 2030.
Europe’s Battle with Climate Change
Europe has been experiencing the consequences of climate change, including record heatwaves, droughts, and floods. Heatwaves, in particular, are increasing in frequency and intensity at a faster rate than in most other parts of the world. Last year alone, over 61,000 people died in Europe due to extreme heat, and this year has seen severe flooding in Northern Italy.
The Importance of Nature Restoration
Defenders of the bill argue that Europe has no alternative but to restore biodiversity to ensure food production and achieve the binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The European Commission emphasizes the essential role of nature restoration in tackling the climate crisis, absorbing carbon, cooling cities, retaining water on dry land, and preventing flood damage.
Conclusion
The approval of the nature restoration bill by European lawmakers is a significant step towards achieving the SDGs and addressing the global biodiversity crisis. By restoring damaged natural habitats, Europe aims to combat climate change, protect ecosystems, and ensure sustainable food production. The bill’s passage highlights the EU’s commitment to environmental preservation and sets an example for other governments to follow.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
- Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for Target 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator for Target 14.2: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches.
- Indicator for Target 15.1: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. | Indicator: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. | Indicator: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | Indicator: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type. |
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Source: nytimes.com
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