Climate change is the defining crisis of our time, and it’s happening even faster than we feared. There is no place on the planet that is protected from the devastating consequences of climate change.
Rising temperatures are responsible for environmental degradation, natural disasters, extreme weather events, food and water insecurity, economic instability, and conflicts. Sea levels are rising, the Arctic is melting, coral reefs are dying, oceans are acidifying, and forests are burning. Business as usual has serious effects on the climate and as the exorbitant costs of climate change reach irreversibly high levels, immediate collective action is imperative.
There are facts that should be taken in consideration:
We are experiencing a dangerous decline in nature and humans are causing it:
· We are using the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain our current way of life and ecosystems cannot keep up with our demands. (Becoming Generation Restoration, UNEP)
· Out of the estimated 8 million species of plants and animals in the world, 1 million facing the threat of extinction (IPBES)
· Human activities have significantly altered the 75% of the Earth’s land surface, including 85% of wetlands. (IPBES)
· 66% of the oceans impacted by human activities, with issues stemming from fisheries and pollution. (IPBES)
· Nearly 90% of the planet’s marine fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited or depleted. (UNCTAD)
· Our global food system is mainly responsible for the loss of biodiversity, with agriculture alone threatening 24,000 of the 28,000 endangered species. (Chatham House and UNEP)
· Agricultural expansion is responsible for 70% of the predicted terrestrial biodiversity loss. (CBD)
Impacts of nature loss and degradation
Nature loss has far-reaching consequences. Damaged ecosystems exacerbate climate change, undermine food security, and put people and communities at risk.
· Around 3.2 billion people, or 40% of the global population, are affected by land degradation.
· Land degradation affects approximately 3.2 billion people, equivalent to 40% of the world’s population.
· Up to $577 billion in annual global crop production is at risk from pollinator loss.
· Land cleaning, crop production and fertilization are responsible for 25% of the global greenhouse gas emissions
· Development is putting animals and humans in closer contact increasing the risk of diseases like COVID-19 with around 60% of human infections originating from animals.
· 100-300 million people are at risk of floods and hurricanes because of coastal habitat loss.
· Nature and biodiversity decline will hinder progress toward 35 out of 44 SDG targets related to poverty, hunger, health, water, cities, climate, oceans, and land.
Thus, although the scientific community confirms that climate change is undeniable, scientists believe that it is not too late for change. We need fundamental transformations in the way we operate as a society: in food production, land use, transport, and restructure our economic systems.
Nature-based solutions give us time as we address the decarbonization of our economy. These approaches enable us to mitigate a portion of our carbon footprint while also supporting essential ecosystem services, biodiversity, access to fresh water, enhanced livelihoods, nutritious diets, and food security. These solutions encompass improved agricultural practices, land restoration, preservation efforts, and the sustainable transformation of food supply chains.
Emerging technologies and nature-based solutions will push us toward a cleaner, more robust world. By fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, civil society, youth, and academia, we can forge a sustainable future where harmony is reestablished between people and the planet.
At Impacta ESG Consulting we aim to inspire businesses all over the world to safeguard People, Children, the Planet.
Maria Tsiadi
CEO Impacta ESG Consulting
