As many of you will already be aware, the UN’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service released a report on Monday, 6th of May 2019. It was a comprehensive assessment of global biodiversity loss.
The report paints an alarming picture of the current state of natural decline; it explains how nature is being destroyed tens to hundreds of times faster than the average degree over the last 10 million years.
It also explains how one eighth of species that are currently alive on earth are at risk of extinction. This report, therefore, is not one to ignore. It took three years to compile and has been contributed to by more than 450 scientists and diplomats. You can read more about its findings here.
Although this report shows the alarming threat of extinction for so many species, it also serves as a much needed signal. A signal that we need to stand up and act now to prevent catastrophic natural degradation. All is not lost if we act now, we can write our own future and stop this decline.
One proven way of preventing species decline is protecting and restoring our tropical forests. Our project aims to restore biodiversity along the Araguaia river. This will serve as a life artery for so many plants and species in the Amazon and Cerrado Savanna, two of the most ecologically rich biomes in the world.
By restoring nature and saving species from extinction, we are ensuring a future for humanity. We will be saving the underlying and interdependent natural systems vital for so many different functions in our lives: fresh water, modern medicine, oxygen and more.
Another important finding from this report is that 23% of global land has reduced agricultural productivity, due to land degradation. For landowners along the corridor, ecologically restoring small sections of their land will:
- Maintain soil fertility and decrease soil erosion
- Help regulate local rain cycles
- Increase natural pollination by insects and birds
- Conserve local water resources
You can learn more about the fundamental importance of restoring our forests and jungles, from the calming voice of David Attenborough here.