Why do we need to protect the world's migratory animals?

Summary

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) highlights the critical role migratory animals play in our ecosystem and human wellbeing. Migratory species, such as birds, bats, and insects, contribute to pollination, pest control, and disease management, while also supporting sustainable development goals like poverty reduction and environmental protection. CMS fosters international cooperation to protect these species and ensure their survival, emphasizing that our future is intertwined with theirs. Through sustainable tourism and conservation efforts, we can safeguard these essential species and their migration routes, securing a healthier planet for future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Migratory species are essential to Earth's natural systems and human well-being, providing services like pollination, pest control, and disease prevention.
• 😀 The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) is a UN-backed treaty aimed at protecting migratory animals by bringing together countries and organizations.
• 😀 Human activities, both directly and indirectly, create challenges for migratory species, making it vital for global cooperation to protect their migration routes.
• 😀 Migratory animals play a crucial role in the global economy, agriculture, and human health, such as contributing to food production, controlling pests, and preventing diseases like malaria.
• 😀 Insects, birds, and bats are responsible for pollinating 75% of all crops, and their actions contribute to over a third of global food production.
• 😀 Bats and birds help reduce the use of harmful chemical pesticides by controlling insect populations, which also decreases the spread of diseases.
• 😀 Vultures act as nature's cleanup crew, helping to prevent disease by consuming animal carcasses and limiting the spread of pathogens.
• 😀 The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development addresses global challenges like poverty, hunger, and climate change, with specific goals focused on the protection of life on land and below water.
• 😀 The protection of migratory species directly contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.
• 😀 Sustainable tourism, including activities like wildlife watching and safaris, generates billions in revenue and provides millions of jobs, showing the interconnectedness of conservation and economic development.

Q & A

What is the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)?

The CMS is a UN-backed international treaty that brings countries and organizations together to conserve migratory species and their habitats. It recognizes migratory animals as an irreplaceable part of Earth's natural systems and cultural heritage.

Why is the protection of migratory species important for humans?

Migratory species provide essential services such as pollination, pest control, and disease management, which directly impact human well-being in areas like food production, health, and culture.

How do migratory animals contribute to food production?

Pollinators such as birds, bats, and insects are responsible for pollinating 75% of all crop types, contributing to over a third of global food production volume.

What role do bats and birds play in pest control?

Bats and birds act as natural pest controllers, consuming harmful insects and reducing the need for chemical pesticides. This helps protect crops and prevents the spread of insect-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever.

What is the role of vultures in ecosystems?

Vultures help prevent the spread of disease by consuming animal carcasses, acting as nature's cleanup crew and reducing the risk of diseases associated with decaying bodies.

How does the CMS contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The CMS directly supports SDGs by conserving migratory species, which contributes to sustainable development, poverty reduction, and the protection of life on land and below water.

What does sustainable development mean in the context of the CMS?

Sustainable development involves balancing the protection of biodiversity with economic growth. This includes protecting migratory species to ensure a healthy ecosystem while promoting job creation and sustainable livelihoods.

What is the economic impact of migratory species?

Migratory species contribute significantly to global economies through tourism, such as safaris and wildlife watching, generating billions of dollars annually and creating millions of jobs.

How does tourism relate to the conservation of migratory species?

Tourism, including wildlife watching and safaris, is a major driver of economic growth. However, this growth depends on the continued existence of migratory species and their habitats.

What is the ultimate goal of the CMS?

The ultimate goal of the CMS is to ensure the conservation of migratory species and their ecosystems across national borders, ensuring their survival for future generations and contributing to the well-being of both nature and humanity.