Delegates from 200 nations are scheduled to meet in the capital of Yunnan province in southwest China to discuss a new framework that might halt biodiversity loss and protect the ecosystem. It is believed that the outcome of the talks is crucial in restoring the health of the planet.
China is one of the leading nations in the crusade for a cleaner and safer Earth. The nation initiated many reforms in its policies to promote the protection of the ecosystem. Last year, the country decided to cut the production capacity of some of its industries to lessen carbon emission. The nation also promoted the use of electric vehicles to help minimize air pollution in the country. China projects total renewable energy use in the whole country in a couple of decades. Recently, the country also announced that they are planning to build a charging station in the orbit of the Earth that might supply renewable energy to the surface.
The World Wild Life released an article that said that the mammal, bird, fish, reptile, and amphibian populations in the Earth over the past 40 years decreased by 60 percent. Another study on biodiversity said that there is evidence that proves that 40 percent of insects are threatened with extinction in the coming decades because of habitat loss, intensive agriculture, pesticide use, and climate change. The study also said that there may be no exploitable fish populations left by 2048 if current fishing practices continue in the Asia-Pacific region where fisheries are a key source of food.
Member countries of the Convention on Biodiversity approved a 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity in 2010. The convention during that year was held in Aichi, Japan. The members agreed on a plan that includes 20 overarching goals that will end biodiversity loss and that might restore ecosystems. The goals of the talks in Japan are unlikely to be met in 2020. It is, therefore, important that new talk in China takes place for the goals to move forward.
According to Thomas Lovejoy, professor of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, we may be the last generation that is able to save the environment and humanity. He added that if we don't work hard, future humanity will face unimaginable chaos.
The recent evaluation of the United Nations concluded that 7 percent of national biodiversity goals of most nations were lower than those set at Aichi. It also said that two-thirds of nations have said their progress is too slow to meet the 2020 goals.
