 Felix Heintzenberg/BIOFOKUS
Governments need to recognise the urgency and importance of biodiversity conservation, by immediately making money available to save life on Earth.
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UN Conference fails life on Earth
30-05-2008
With only 18 months to go until 2010, BirdLife urges the global community to face reality, cooperate and take responsibility for future generations
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) fails to address the urgency of biodiversity loss by 2010 [1]. Although 191 countries agreed in Bonn [2] that the diversity of life on Earth is essential for human survival, and despite scientific proof that species are rapidly declining [3], they were unable to agree on many of the concrete steps forward that would have been necessary.
The global Partnership of BirdLife International today expressed its deep disappointment at the lack of progress, especially on financing biodiversity, protected areas and tackling the increasing threat to biodiversity from climate change.
“Despite good leadership shown from Germany, most other rich countries have failed to match their words with financial commitments” —Dr Mike Rands, Director and Chief Executive of BirdLife International
Dr Mike Rands, Director and Chief Executive of BirdLife International stressed “Despite good leadership shown from Germany, most other rich countries have failed to match their words with financial commitments. BirdLife urges governments to recognise the urgency and importance of biodiversity conservation, by immediately making money available to save life on Earth.”
At the conference an economic study was presented showing that if investments are made now, the costs will be far lower than if we delay [4].
Governments were also unable to agree on concrete steps to establish a global network of protected areas. Without a comprehensive network of protected areas it is highly unlikely that the global community will meet its 2010 commitments.
Climate change presents an unprecedented threat to humans and nature. At the same time, biodiversity plays a crucial role in enabling us to overcome the challenges of climate change. Despite this, with final conclusions pending, the Bonn conference risks failing to establish the urgently needed cooperation between the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The conference also missed the opportunity to take immediate action to prevent damage to biodiversity from biofuels.
With only 18 months to go until 2010, BirdLife urges the global community to face reality, cooperate and take responsibility for future generations.
ENDS
[1] In 2002 World leaders in the World Summit on Sustainable Development agreed to “significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010”.
[2] The 9th Conference of the Parties to the CBD took place between 19th – 30th May 2008 in Bonn, Germany.
[3] BirdLife International’s Red List of Globally Threatened Birds published on 19th May 2008 shows that species in imminent risk of extinction are still increasing. More information is available at: http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/05/red_list_launch.html
[4] The study “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB) was compiled by Deutsche Bank economist Pavan Sukhdev. More information and the study are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/economics/index_en.htm