UN CONVENTION 0N BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Meeting in Montreal, Canada the week of Dec. 6, 2022, the Convention on Biological Diversity set out to make goals for the next ten years in protecting the earth’s biodiversity. Stakes could not be higher, as the globe is on track to lose more than a million species to extinction within decades---if the downward spiral continues. Human caused climate change is a huge cause along with deforestation, agricultural mismanagement, water and air pollution, urbanization and other issues. Biodiversity loss is more than just saying goodbye to a favorite animal. Since all life is connected through the “web of life”, the loss of a part of that web makes it harder for the system to function in such a manner as to provide for humankind food, clean air, clean water to drink and medicines to combat illnesses. 190 countries of the world are present for this conference, but not the United States (?—"politics” say some critics). However, the present administration is quietly proposing initiatives to protect biodiversity and encouraging nations to live up to promises made in the latest COP27.
What can we do to help protect biodiversity? In daily life, we can do all we can to reduce our carbon footprint (think of Reducing consumption, Repurposing and or Repairing items, and Recycling all we can). We can challenge our purchasing by eliminating plastics (start small by eliminating plastic straws), eating less meat and more plants. In our yard, we can plant native species, plant for pollinators, create a rain garden, use less chemicals on our lawns and be mindful of our watershed beginning with our own yard run-off. We can elect policy makers that will protect biodiversity. We can mourn our past failures but must renew our efforts to do all we can to prevent further loss of the wonderful diversity of life that sustains us all.
EARTH STEWARD ACTION: Do all we can to lower our carbon footprint. To keep us on track, join others by participating at www.sustainlislanhome.org
SOURCES: https://www.npr.org/2022/12/07/1140861347/un-biodiversity-convention-aims-to-slow-humanitys-war-with-nature-hears-whats-at , https://earth.org/solutions-to-biodiversity-loss/