Experts Call for Major Changes to Address Climate and Nature Crises Through Ecosystem Restoration and Protection
As the world approaches COP26, the critical climate summit in November, scientists are calling for the urgent restoration and protection of wild spaces to effectively combat the intertwined climate and biodiversity crises. In a commentary published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, researchers emphasize the need for “major systemic changes” to address the growing environmental challenges facing the planet.
Key recommendations include the introduction of new laws to protect ecosystems, the end of harmful agricultural subsidies, and an increase in investments focused on biodiversity. Additionally, scientists advocate for “nature-based solutions,” such as restoring degraded areas and safeguarding biodiversity hotspots. These efforts could have a significant impact, potentially boosting Earth’s carbon storage capacity and preventing up to 70% of species extinctions, according to the research cited.
The call comes after a major report published earlier this year, which warned that the failure to address both the climate and biodiversity crises in tandem could have devastating consequences. Dr. Nathalie Pettorelli, lead author of the research and senior fellow at the Zoological Society of London, stressed the importance of tackling these crises together, noting, “This paper is examining natural-based solutions, which are the main proposition for tackling climate change and the biodiversity crisis together.”
One significant challenge highlighted by the scientists is the continued flow of subsidies that support environmentally damaging activities like factory farming and commercial fishing, which undermine efforts to restore ecosystems.
