Global Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia
As representatives from over 175 nations gather in Cali, Colombia, for what is anticipated to be the largest United Nations biodiversity conference in history, the focus is squarely on the intricate and diverse life that exists on our planet. The pivotal question at hand is how far countries are willing to go in order to halt the alarming declines in biodiversity that are currently taking place.
The discussions, which commence on Monday, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our planet over the next two weeks. A report from an intergovernmental panel of scientists in 2019 highlighted that biodiversity is deteriorating at an unprecedented rate. The alarming finding estimated that as many as a million species are facing the threat of extinction. Even species that are typically abundant are experiencing significant declines; for instance, bird populations in the United States and Canada have plummeted by nearly 30 percent since 1970, with serious reductions noted among some of the most commonly observed species.
The primary factor driving biodiversity loss on land is habitat destruction, predominantly caused by the expansion of agricultural land. In marine environments, overfishing stands as the leading cause of decline. Furthermore, climate change is exacerbating these issues, with the two crises being closely interconnected.
Scientists warn that such drastic reductions in biodiversity pose a significant threat to human well-being. Ecosystems rich in biodiversity, such as forests filled with chirping birds, play vital roles in sequestering carbon, filtering water, and influencing rainfall patterns. Healthy rivers and oceans that teem with fish are essential for human food sources. Insects contribute to soil fertility and pollination, while birds and mammals aid in seed dispersal, allowing plants to thrive and continue the cycle of life.
“When we destroy biodiversity, we are dismantling the very connections that sustain life on Earth,” emphasized Susana Muhamad, the Minister of Environment for Colombia, who will be presiding over the conference. “What is truly at stake is the potential for a new wave of extinction, which could mark the sixth mass extinction in Earth’s history.” The previous mass extinction event, which occurred millions of years ago, famously led to the demise of the dinosaurs.
