ODS #15: Vida terrestre • IBGE Explica

Summary

This video discusses the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 15, which focuses on protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems, combating desertification, and preserving biodiversity. It highlights the importance of sustainable forest management, the alarming rates of deforestation, and the degradation of land. The script also discusses the severe impact of desertification, particularly in Brazil, and its effects on the poorest communities. The goal is to restore degraded lands, promote reforestation, and protect endangered species. Viewers are encouraged to support this global initiative by spreading awareness and taking action.

Takeaways

• 😀 The ODS 15 aims to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems, promote sustainable use of forests, and combat desertification.
• 🌳 Forests are vital, as they house over 80% of all terrestrial species, including animals, plants, and insects.
• 🌍 Human actions can cause ecological imbalances, affecting larger structures like forests, with direct consequences for biodiversity.
• 💡 Although 80,000 tree species exist, less than 1% have been studied for potential use, highlighting untapped medicinal resources.
• 📉 Between 2000 and 2010, over 40,000 square kilometers of forest were lost annually, primarily for agriculture.
• 🐾 According to the IUCN Red List, around 22% of mammal species are endangered, underlining the urgency to protect wildlife.
• 🌾 52% of land used for agriculture is moderately or severely degraded, impacting food production and livelihoods.
• 🌵 Desertification is a significant environmental issue, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, compromising local systems.
• 🇧🇷 In Brazil, 1,480 municipalities are vulnerable to desertification, with land losses affecting agriculture and food security.
• 🔄 The ODS 15 sets targets to restore degraded lands, reduce habitat loss, and protect endangered species by 2020 and 2030.

Q & A

What is the focus of the SDG 15, as mentioned in the script?

SDG 15 focuses on life on land, aiming to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

How does SDG 15 relate to other environmental SDGs like SDG 14?

While SDG 14 focuses on life below water, SDG 15 deals with terrestrial ecosystems. SDG 15, along with SDG 10, addresses the protection of land-based life, which is essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Why are forests considered essential in the context of SDG 15?

Forests are vital because they house over 80% of all terrestrial species, including animals, plants, and insects. They also provide sustenance for over 1.6 billion people, including 70 million indigenous people.

What is the state of biodiversity in forests, and why is it important?

Despite significant progress, only about 1% of the 80,000 tree species have been studied for potential uses. Preserving biodiversity is crucial because it supports ecosystem services and has untapped potential for developing medicines and other resources.

What impact does deforestation have on biodiversity?

Deforestation accelerates the extinction of species. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, in 2017, 22% of studied mammal species were considered threatened, with deforestation being a primary driver.

How does land degradation occur and affect agriculture?

Land degradation occurs when forests are replaced by agriculture, leading to soil degradation. An estimated 52% of agricultural land is moderately or severely affected, impacting 1.5 billion people globally and reducing the land's ability to produce food.

What is desertification, and how does it affect the environment?

Desertification is the process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, which severely impacts local ecosystems and productivity. In Brazil, for example, desertification affects 1,480 municipalities, and 12 million hectares are lost annually.

What are the economic consequences of desertification in Brazil?

Desertification leads to the loss of valuable land that could otherwise be used for agriculture. Every year, 12 million hectares of land are lost, equivalent to the potential cultivation of 20 million tons of grain.

What are the targets set by SDG 15 to address these environmental issues?

SDG 15 sets several targets, including promoting sustainable forest management, halting deforestation, restoring degraded forests, combating desertification, and protecting threatened species by 2020 and beyond.

How can individuals contribute to achieving the objectives of SDG 15?

Individuals can contribute by supporting sustainable practices, advocating for the protection of forests and biodiversity, reducing their carbon footprint, and promoting awareness of the importance of preserving life on land.