Demand for steak fuelling deforestation and extinction in NSW
Demand for steak fuelling deforestation and extinction in NSW Sydney Morning Herald
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Soaring Demand for Red Meat Threatens Biodiversity in NSW
Introduction
Soaring demand for red meat is contributing to habitat loss across NSW that has put the state on course to lose nearly a quarter of all known plant and animal species in the next century.
Controversial Land-Clearing Laws
As the Minns government releases the NSW biodiversity outlook report on Wednesday, environmental groups are growing impatient that the government is yet to reverse controversial 2016 land-clearing laws championed by former deputy premier John Barilaro.
Concerns and Criticisms
Nature Conservation Council spokesperson Clancy Barnard said the biodiversity decline since the last report in 2020 was “shocking and deeply frustrating”. He said Labor came to power promising to act on land clearing, but had failed to deliver so far.
Biodiversity Decline and Review
“We haven’t seen the level of ambition we hoped, especially in the wake of the Henry review,” Barnard said, referring to the review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act delivered last year by economist Ken Henry.
Threats to Biodiversity
The biggest threat to biodiversity identified by the report is habitat loss from land clearing, followed by climate change and invasive species.
Government Response
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the government was “working hard to turn this around” by adding land to national parks and private conservation agreements, reintroducing native species to areas of local extinction, and boosting environmental protection laws.
Impact of Agriculture
Official NSW data shows agriculture is the biggest contributor to land clearing, dwarfing logging or housing development. Clearing of woodland for agriculture grew 15 per cent in 2021, and pasture for grazing was the most common reason, the most recent figures show.
Beef Production and Deforestation
The Australian Conservation Foundation’s nature and business campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle, said beef was the biggest driver of deforestation in NSW and nationally, putting Australia at odds with other OECD nations.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The biodiversity outlook shows the health and diversity of ecosystems has declined in almost every measure across the state, though the coastal regions and coastal mountain ranges are considered more ecologically resilient than the sheep-and-wheat belt of inland NSW. Only 50 per cent of listed threatened species are expected to survive in 100 years’ time, down from 52 per cent in 2012. Only 76 per cent of all known species were expected to survive over the next century, down from 79 per cent.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the impact of land clearing and habitat loss on biodiversity in New South Wales (NSW). This aligns with SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, and SDG 13, which aims to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
The article highlights the decline in biodiversity and the loss of plant and animal species due to habitat loss. This relates to SDG 15.5, which focuses on halting the loss of biodiversity and protecting threatened species. Additionally, the article mentions the need for action to address climate change, which aligns with SDG 13.2.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of land conserved for permanent protection
- Extent of habitat loss from land clearing
- Percentage of threatened species expected to survive in the future
- Percentage of known species expected to survive in the future
- Rate of growth in agriculture-related land clearing
The article mentions the percentage of land conserved for permanent protection, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 15.1. The extent of habitat loss from land clearing and the decline in the survival rates of threatened and known species can be used as indicators for SDG 15.5. The rate of growth in agriculture-related land clearing can be used as an indicator for monitoring progress towards addressing habitat loss and climate change mitigation.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | Percentage of land conserved for permanent protection |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | Extent of habitat loss from land clearing Percentage of threatened species expected to survive in the future Percentage of known species expected to survive in the future |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Rate of growth in agriculture-related land clearing |
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Fuente: smh.com.au
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