The 2020 Wakeup call

Another decade comes to an end and it has been a great one, maybe for the human race but not really for mother nature. So why not start the new year and decade with a reality check.

Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history and the rate of species extinction is accelerating with a grave impact on people around the world. Biodiversity and nature’s contributions to the people are our common heritage and humanity’s most important life-supporting ‘safety net’. But our safety net is stretched to a breaking point. Ironically Earth is shrinking and gets smaller over time.

The age of Anthropocene flourishes but doesn’t let mother nature run parallel to it.
The diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems as well as many fundamental contributions we derive from nature, are declining fast, although we still have the means to ensure a sustainable future for people and the planet.

There has been a 50% increase in threatened species in India alone and that is alarming. Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have degraded coastal and marine biodiversity to unprecedented levels, threatening the livelihoods of 500 million people who depend on the seas and the health of over a billion people who get their main source of protein from the oceans and seas. This vast expanse of blue also harbors ecosystems such as coral reefs that nourish as much life as our richest rainforest.

In ecosystems where 21% to 40% of the species go extinct, plant growth is expected to decrease by 5%-10% an effect comparable to climate warming, or increased UV radiation from stratospheric ozone loss. But at higher levels of extinction, the impact would be similar to acid deposition on forests, ozone pollution, and nutrient pollution. Biodiversity across ecosystems, across species and in their genetic variation is not faring well at all.

At the threat of extinction are,

Fossil records show that current extinction levels are around 1,000 times the natural background rate. They are exacerbated by habitat loss, hunting, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species and diseases. As the area under analysis increases, we assess more species and the red book list just increases, This trend has continued for the past few years. As many as 1 million species are now at risk of extinction if we don’t act to save them; that number includes 40% of all amphibian species, 33% of all corals, and around 10% of insect species.

All these stats show how much we’ve destroyed in the past few years. This long list of species declared extinct should show you just how serious this crisis is and how the mere act of humans showing up someplace can precipitate ecological disaster. It is also said that these species are likely going to extinct before they have even been discovered.

But it’s not as if the world does not understand the importance of biodiversity for human well being but it’s ignorance that dooms us. Loss of biodiversity is the major driving force of global change. Ecosystems are affected even if species haven’t gone extinct but just exist at a reduced abundance. This decade probably is our last shot at saving ourselves from this crisis. These magnificent creatures don’t deserve the hell we create and the way we destroy their magical homes

It’s not all depressing. We can still act. We know the causes of the crisis and we know the solutions that can work namely conservation and consciousness. Natural speed limits constrain how quickly biodiversity can rebound after waves of extinction. Hence, the rapid extinction rates mean that it could take a long time for nature to recover. Yes, it is true that humans can do a lot to stave off a species’ extinction. We set aside more protected areas and tread through life more carefully but selective conservation does more harm than good in most cases since it is unnatural for an ecosystem ( like the conservation case of the giant panda) and hoping that leaders would help has gotten us nowhere

Have hope, if you are able, but know that it’s going to take serious, coordinated, international effort, some of which may be uncomfortably radical, in order to maintain the health of our planet and the species we share it with and thrive as a species ourselves

Since the quality of our existence is directly intertwined with biodiversity goal of setting aside half of Earth’s land and seas solely for nature. It’s ambitious, especially in the face of setbacks, like the accelerating deforestation of the rain forests, fires, etc. But we know species can be saved because it’s been done before.

Speaking up is important but what’s most important is doing something. Sweat and tears make more noise than voices and history has repeated this myriad times.

Regional and global scenarios currently lack and would benefit from explicit consideration of the views, perspectives, and rights of indigenous people and local communities, their knowledge, and understanding of large regions and ecosystems, and their desired future development pathways. Recognition of the knowledge, innovations, practices, and values of indigenous people and local communities and their inclusion in environmental governance often enhances their quality of life, as well as nature conservation, restoration, and sustainable use. Their positive contributions to sustainability can be facilitated through national recognition of land tenure, access and resource rights in accordance with national legislation, the application of free, prior and informed consent, and improved collaboration, fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use, and co-management arrangements with local communities.

We are really lucky enough to be part of a society that has a culture of conservation and protection embedded deep in its roots and we can make use of this through a collaborative effort that is partially being implemented and at this stage, it’s all about participation and action. Sometimes all we need to do is stop being ignorant and what happens next is all that matters. They say necessities bring out the best in you and this probably the one final stage where we need to act because there is no tomorrow and what happens in the next hour is uncertain. Who wants a future full of uncertainties and demise.

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