Why tackling biodiversity loss could solve the climate crisis – Positive News
Why tackling biodiversity loss could solve the climate crisis - Positive ... Positive.News
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Can Rewilding Help Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?
Introduction
Can a grey wolf calm the climate? Can a whale tame the skies? These are not just whimsical questions, but rather the focus of a new study on the potential benefits of rewilding. This article explores the findings of the study and highlights the significant role that rewilding can play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Role of Key Wild Species
The study reveals that maintaining healthy populations of nine key wild species or groups of species, including elephants, wolves, wildebeest, musk ox, bison, marine fish, whales, sharks, and sea otters, can have a crucial impact on controlling the carbon cycle on land and sea. These species rely on viable habitats for their survival, and by conserving these habitats, we can also preserve their natural ability to sequester and store carbon.
The Potential Impact
The collective impact of rewilding these key species could be massive. The study, conducted by 15 scientists from eight different countries, estimates that it could enable the capture of 6.41 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. This is equivalent to 95% of the total carbon reduction needed to meet the Paris agreement target of limiting global temperature rises to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Mechanisms of Carbon Capture
Various mechanisms contribute to carbon capture through rewilding. For example, whales store carbon in their bodies, and their feces stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, which sequesters large amounts of CO2. Similarly, the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone Park led to the recovery of woodlands and the revival of other species, creating a climate-friendly ecosystem.
The Missing Link: Biodiversity and Climate
Professor Oswald Schultz, the leader of the study from Yale School of the Environment, emphasizes that wildlife species are the missing link between biodiversity and climate. Rewilding, therefore, represents one of the best nature-based climate solutions available to humankind.
Addressing Concerns and Involving Local Communities
While rewilding has faced some skepticism, concerns about food security and conflicts with local communities can be addressed through careful planning and community involvement. Nature recovery projects often take place on unproductive land and can have positive impacts on food production and other benefits such as flood reduction and soil conservation. Successful rewilding projects, such as those in Scotland and India, involve revitalizing communities and working with local people to ensure a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
A Combined Strategy for Climate Action
Wolves and whales alone cannot calm the climate, but when integrated into an overall strategy that combines conservation with climate action, they can play a vital role. By prioritizing the preservation of threatened species and their habitats, we can contribute to both biodiversity conservation and carbon reduction efforts.
Conclusion
The study’s findings provide renewed hope for addressing the urgent need to mitigate carbon emissions. Rewilding offers a nature-based solution that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and can help us achieve a more sustainable future. To calm the climate, we must look to where the wild things are.
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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
The article discusses the role of rewilding and maintaining healthy populations of key wild species in controlling the carbon cycle on land and sea. This connects to SDG 13, which focuses on climate action. Additionally, the article mentions the impact of marine fish, whales, sharks, and sea otters in sequestering and storing carbon, which relates to SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- SDG 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified include integrating climate change measures into national policies and planning (SDG 13.2), sustainably managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems (SDG 14.2), and taking urgent action to reduce degradation of natural habitats (SDG 15.5).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of national policies, strategies, and plans that integrate climate change measures
- Indicator for SDG 14.2: Percentage of marine and coastal areas protected and sustainably managed
- Indicator for SDG 15.5: Extent of forest area protected or conserved
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, potential indicators can be used to measure progress. These include the number of national policies, strategies, and plans that integrate climate change measures (SDG 13.2), the percentage of marine and coastal areas protected and sustainably managed (SDG 14.2), and the extent of forest area protected or conserved (SDG 15.5).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Number of national policies, strategies, and plans that integrate climate change measures |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems | Percentage of marine and coastal areas protected and sustainably managed |
| 14.x: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity, and transfer marine technology | Not mentioned in the article | |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats | Extent of forest area protected or conserved |
| 15.x: Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems | Not mentioned in the article |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: positive.news
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