The Biodiversity Problem
Biodiversity is the term we use to describe the variety of life on Earth in all its forms. It comprises the number of species, their genetic variation and the interaction of these lifeforms within complex ecosystems. The emphasis on biodiversity is deliberate. It is a way of drawing attention to the diversity of plant and animal life in a healthy environment and highlights the fragility of the environment through human behaviours that have led to a significant decline in both the abundance and diversity of wildlife. It points to our need to learn about the biodiversity of the environment in which we live in order to understand and reduce our impacts, and create better conditions to enable life to flourish.
Globally, there is abundant scientific evidence that biodiversity has been declining at an alarming rate in recent years, mainly due to human activities, such as land use changes, pollution and climate change. A UN report published in 2019 (1), warned that one million species - out of an estimated total of eight million - are threatened with extinction, many within decades and some researchers consider we are in the middle of the sixth mass extinction event in Earth’s history.
Since living organisms interact in dynamic ecosystems, the disappearance of one species can have a far-reaching impact on the food chain. It is impossible to know exactly what the consequences of mass extinctions would be for humans, but we do know that for now the diversity of nature allows us to thrive.
Political leaders of a growing number of countries have recently signed the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, and many have also committed to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 (’30by30’)
In response to the growing crisis of biodiversity loss, the five statutory nature conservation bodies of the UK have come together to back the 30by30 call for action.
They set out their findings, evidence for the need to change and strategies to halt increasing biodiversity loss in their Nature Positive 2030 reports (2 & 3)
At the local level the key strategic framework is the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) now being developed by Surrey County Council Read about it here.
Realising our vision with all that entails, would be a tangible demonstration of local commitment to halting biodiversity loss and contributing to the Nature Positive 2030 vision within the strategic framework of the LNRS.
Sources
(1) https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/05/nature-decline-unprecedented-report/
(2) https://data.jncc.gov.uk/data/6de7bf27-055e-4407-ad29-4814e1613d90/nature-positive-2030-summary-report.pdf
(3) https://data.jncc.gov.uk/data/6de7bf27-055e-4407-ad29-4814e1613d90/nature-positive-2030-evidence-report.pdf
David Attenborough - we need to change
Healthy ecosystems provide us with many essentials we take for granted. Plants convert energy from the sun making it available to other life forms. Bacteria and other living organisms break down organic matter into nutrients providing plants with healthy soil to grow in. Pollinators are essential in plant reproduction, guaranteeing our food production. Plants and oceans act as major carbon sinks. In short, biodiversity provides us with clean air, fresh water, good quality soil and crop pollination. It helps us fight climate change and adapt to it as well reduce the impact of natural hazards.
So serious is the issue of biodiversity loss that Governments all over the world are introducing legislation and policies to address the issue. We need a healthy, thriving natural environment to meet Net Zero goals and build resilience to climate change says the UK Government’s Green Finance Strategy to support Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), and reverse the decline in biodiversity. The Environment Act 2021, requires every county in England to produce a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Surrey County Council is developing its strategy during 2024 and Surrey Wildlife Trusts is responding with its own strategy to restore, create and connect habitats and respond to the challenge of a significant decline in wildlife. Parish Councils are also expected to develop their own strategies to support a healthy, thriving natural environment and meet the challenge of climate change. This proposal for the 4B’s Biodiversity Park offers a community-led, landscape-scale, contribution to these important strategic aims.
So serious is the issue of biodiversity loss that Governments all over the world are introducing legislation and policies to address the issue. We need a healthy, thriving natural environment to meet Net Zero goals and build resilience to climate change says the UK Government’s Green Finance Strategy to support Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), and reverse the decline in biodiversity. The Environment Act 2021, requires every county in England to produce a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Surrey County Council is developing its strategy during 2024 and Surrey Wildlife Trusts is responding with its own strategy to restore, create and connect habitats and respond to the challenge of a significant decline in wildlife. Parish Councils are also expected to develop their own strategies to support a healthy, thriving natural environment and meet the challenge of climate change. This proposal for the 4B’s Biodiversity Park offers a community-led, landscape-scale, contribution to these important strategic aims.
The Nature Recovery Network we want to be part of
UK Nature in Crisis - we want to help