UN Summit: Don’t Repeat Mistakes on Nature, Scientists Warn

December 5, 2022by Wanjohi Kabukuru, Associated Press
UN Summit: Don’t Repeat Mistakes on Nature, Scientists Warn
A boat, with marine protected areas officials, moves in the Mediterranean Sea marine natural reserve of Rosh Hanikra in northern Israel, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)

MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Scientists around the world are warning governments that will be gathering in Montreal, Canada, this week for the United Nations’ biodiversity summit to not repeat past mistakes and are urging officials to “avoid trade-offs” between people and conservation needs in a report Monday.

The study published in the One Earth journal found that even though there has been an increase in investment in conservation over the last three decades, governments “have not succeeded in bending the curve on biodiversity decline.”

The conference known as COP15, which begins Tuesday, hopes to set the goals for the world for the next decade to help conserve the planet’s biodiversity and stem the loss of nature. So far the world has failed to meet goals set at previous meetings.

The scientists proposed six areas for action for delegates working toward what’s known as the global biodiversity framework. They include greater involvement of local communities and addressing both direct causes of nature decline such as the destruction of land and habitats as well as indirect causes such as climate change.


In the report scientists repeatedly called for officials to be “nature and people positive” in their approach, highlighting the need for solutions that are realistic and have support from local communities in order to best protect nature.

Instead of conserving areas by making them inaccessible to local people, the scientists said greater inclusion of communities and particularly Indigenous groups will be vital in curbing even more biodiversity loss.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions which fuel climate change that leads to the loss of land and species also needs to be addressed, the scientists said.

“No amount of conservation or restoration actions may be effective in stopping biodiversity loss if the accelerating drivers of decline continue and intensify, as has been the case to date, especially in wealthier countries and among elites, who often express commitment to conservation action,” said David Obura, who is one of the report authors.


The growing demands of rich nations, in particular “excess consumption and unsustainable trade and investments” also need to be halted if groups are to be protected, co-author Diana Liverman said. “Consumption footprints in richer countries consistently drive biodiversity loss in poorer countries,” she added.

Outside experts’ views of how the summit can be a success were in line with the report’s findings.

“The Montreal COP needs to send that signal that the global economy is transitioning to be nature positive,” said The Nature Conservancy’s Linda Kreuger who wasn’t part of the report.

“Much of the conversation in Montreal is likely to revolve around money and specifically how much of it wealthier countries are willing to make available to support the conservation efforts of emerging economies.”

Indigenous rights groups led by Survival International and Amnesty International agreed that local communities were central to protecting local biodiversity.

“Indigenous peoples are the best guardians of the natural world and an essential part of human diversity,” said Fiore Longo of Survival International. “The best way to protect biodiversity is to respect the land rights of Indigenous peoples.”


___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

A+
a-

In The News

Health

Voting

Climate

Behind Massive Seaweed Belt Headed for Some Atlantic Beaches

WASHINGTON (AP) — A 5,000-mile seaweed belt lurking in the Atlantic Ocean is expected in the next few months to... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — A 5,000-mile seaweed belt lurking in the Atlantic Ocean is expected in the next few months to wash onto beaches in the Caribbean Sea, South Florida, and the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — as the biomass stretching from... Read More

AP Sources: Biden OKs Huge Willow Oil Project in Alaska

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is approving the major Willow oil project on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope, according to... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is approving the major Willow oil project on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope, according to two people familiar with the decision. The decision revealed Monday, one of President Joe Biden’s most consequential climate decisions, is likely to draw condemnation from environmentalists who say... Read More

La Nina, Which Worsens Hurricanes and Drought, Is Gone

WASHINGTON (AP) — After three nasty years, the La Nina weather phenomenon that increases Atlantic hurricane activity and worsens western drought is... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — After three nasty years, the La Nina weather phenomenon that increases Atlantic hurricane activity and worsens western drought is gone, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday. That’s usually good news for the United States and other parts of the world, including drought-stricken northeast Africa, scientists... Read More

March 8, 2023
by Kate Michael
Papers Claim Time for Tackling Climate Change Is Now

WASHINGTON — While the economics of climate change is a very nuanced topic, scientists and economists have recently released a... Read More

WASHINGTON — While the economics of climate change is a very nuanced topic, scientists and economists have recently released a pair of papers attempting to prove not only that climate change is an economic issue, but there is an economic case for tackling the issue now.... Read More

March 7, 2023
by Kate Michael
People Have ‘Right to Expect’ Government to Address Climate, Says VP

DENVER — Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in Jefferson County, Colorado, for a moderated conversation with Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo.,... Read More

DENVER — Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in Jefferson County, Colorado, for a moderated conversation with Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., and professional female rock climber Sasha DiGiulian this week to discuss the administration’s investments to combat climate change.  She came armed with puns and the power... Read More

Nations Reach Accord to Protect Marine Life on High Seas

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas - representing a turning point for vast stretches of the planet where conservation has previously been hampered by a confusing patchwork of laws.... Read More

News From The Well
scroll top