UN biodiversity report: What extinctions mean for humanity | DW News

Summary

The UN's first report on biodiversity warns of an unprecedented decline in nature, with a million species at risk of extinction due to climate change, overfishing, and pollution. Key species like the vaquita porpoise and Amur leopard face critical threats, with populations dwindling to mere dozens. The report underscores the urgency of immediate action, emphasizing that protecting biodiversity is crucial for human survival. It calls for transformative policy changes, including shifts in consumption patterns and a reevaluation of economic growth models. The script also highlights the plight of bees, essential for crop pollination, and introduces a digital bee-sharing platform as a potential solution to their decline.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The first United Nations report on biodiversity warns of an unprecedented decline in nature, with a million species at risk of extinction due to climate change, overfishing, and pollution.
• 🐬 Some animal populations have declined drastically, such as the vaquita porpoise, which is down to an estimated 30 individuals, and the Amur leopard, with only 84 remaining.
• 🦅 Vultures, despite not being considered beautiful, are crucial to the ecosystem, and 11 out of 16 species are at risk of extinction.
• 📉 The rate of species extinction is accelerating, but the report suggests that immediate action can make a difference.
• 🌱 Protecting biodiversity is equated with protecting human life, as humans fundamentally depend on the diversity of life on Earth.
• 🌾 The decline in biodiversity threatens our food supply, as it is dependent on a variety of species for crop growth and healthy soils.
• 🌿 The number of species providing our crops has significantly decreased, with nine plant species providing two-thirds of global crop output.
• 🔄 Transformative policy changes are required to address the decline in biodiversity, moving away from the current economic growth paradigm.
• 🐝 The report also highlights the threat to insects like bees, which are essential for pollination of crops, with many bees disappearing and dying under mysterious circumstances.
• 📱 A new digital bee-sharing platform in Germany connects beekeepers with farmers to ensure pollination, offering a potential solution to the decline in bee populations.

Q & A

What is the main conclusion of the first United Nations report on biodiversity?

The main conclusion is that an unprecedented decline in nature is threatening humanity, with a million species at risk of extinction primarily due to human activities such as climate change, overfishing, and pollution.

Which species are mentioned as being critically endangered in the report?

The report mentions the vaquita, a porpoise native to the waters of California with only around 30 individuals left, and the Amur leopard native to China and Russia, with a population down to approximately 84.

What role do vultures play in the ecosystem according to the report?

Vultures, despite not being considered beautiful, are a key part of the ecosystem as they help maintain ecological balance by scavenging on carcasses.

What is the significance of the accelerating rate of species extinction mentioned in the report?

The accelerating rate of species extinction signifies that the current loss of biodiversity is happening at an alarming pace, which poses a significant threat to ecosystems and, by extension, to human life.

How does biodiversity loss impact human food supply according to the report?

Biodiversity loss impacts human food supply by reducing the variety of species that contribute to crop growth and by damaging the health of soils, which are essential for agriculture. This could lead to an inability of the food system to cope with future demands.

What actions can be taken to address the decline in biodiversity as suggested by the report?

The report suggests that transformative policy changes are needed, including changes in consumption patterns by individuals and radical suggestions for governments to move away from the current economic growth paradigm.

What is the role of insects like bees in the context of the report?

Insects like bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops, which is essential for food production. The report warns of the threats to these insects, which could have major consequences for agriculture.

How is the digital bee-sharing platform mentioned in the script helping with the bee population decline?

The digital bee-sharing platform connects beekeepers with farmers, allowing for the renting of bee colonies to pollinate crops. This not only helps in the pollination process but also provides beekeepers with an income and encourages the maintenance of healthy bee populations.

What are the challenges faced by beekeepers and farmers as highlighted in the script?

Beekeepers and farmers face challenges such as the disappearance of bees, the risk of disease, and the improper use of pesticides. The script mentions the importance of disease prevention and agreements with farmers to protect bees from harmful practices.

What is the potential impact of the bee-sharing business on the agricultural sector as suggested by the script?

The bee-sharing business has the potential to improve harvests of various crops by providing necessary pollination services, while also offering beekeepers a source of income, thus supporting both agriculture and bee conservation.