By the end of 2024, nearly 200 nations will gather at three conferences to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and plastic pollution. Colombia will discuss protecting 30% of land and water by 2030, followed by COP29 in Azerbaijan on fossil fuel transition, and a treaty in South Korea regarding plastic waste. Experts emphasize the interconnectedness of these issues, warning that climate change impacts ecosystems that support biodiversity. Increased plastic pollution poses severe risks to wildlife, calling for urgent, comprehensive actions to address these intertwined crises and explore systemic solutions.
By the close of 2024, nearly 200 countries will convene at three momentous conferences aimed at tackling the urgent crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and plastic pollution. The discussions will begin in Colombia, where delegates will evaluate global efforts to secure protection for 30% of the Earth’s land and water by the year 2030. Following this, COP29 will occur in Azerbaijan, providing an opportunity for nations to revisit their commitments made during last year’s conference in Dubai, which focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels that exacerbate climate change. Finally, in December, South Korea is anticipated to witness the establishment of the first comprehensive global treaty addressing the menace of plastic waste Despite the separate nature of these conferences, it is critical to acknowledge that, as biologist Liette Vasseur, political scientist Anders Hayden, and ecologist Mike Jones articulate, “Climate change, biodiversity loss and resource depletion are not isolated problems”. Instead, they comprise an interrelated network of challenges demanding immediate and holistic responses. Turning our attention to climate issues, the nature of the future temperature rise remains uncertain, as outlined by researchers Seth Wynes and H. Damon Matthews. They highlight that projections regarding global temperature increases hinge on the sensitivity of the climate system to greenhouse gas emissions and the total volume of emissions produced. The authors of a survey of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports estimated an average temperature increase of 2.7°C by the year 2100. As we approach this potential figure, the world is already grappling with severe consequences such as increased flooding, intensified heat waves, and larger wildfires. Wynes and Matthews remark, “we have already seen devastating consequences like more flooding, hotter heat waves and larger wildfires, and we are only at 1.3 °C above pre-industrial levels—less than halfway to 2.7 °C.” Another significant unknown factor revolves around the ability of natural ecosystems—forests, wetlands, and oceans—to act as carbon sinks. Such ecosystems are increasingly strained, particularly exemplified by a report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which discloses that populations of monitored vertebrate wildlife have diminished by 73% since 1970. As biodiversity scientist Alexander Lees aptly observes, “More than 90% of tropical trees and shrubs depend on animals to disperse their seeds,” underscoring the critical role of biodiversity services in ecological function and climate stability. Another emergent threat to wildlife is plastic pollution, which continues to escalate and poses significant dangers to ecosystems. The accumulation of plastic debris—ranging from bottles to microplastics—has infiltrated even the most remote environments. Karen Raubenheimer outlines the severity of this issue, stating, “In short, microplastics are widespread, accumulating in the remotest parts of our planet. There is evidence of their toxic effects at every level of biological organization.” The correlation between plastic production and climate change is evident, given that plastics are largely derived from fossil fuels. Activists and specialists alike emphasize the need to curb production to simultaneously mitigate both challenges. As Costas Velis remarks, “Every year without production caps makes the necessary cut to plastic production in future steeper—and our need to use other measures to address the problem greater.” As discussions at these summits progress, experts propose that the solution lies not solely in expanding protected areas but in addressing the root causes of biodiversity decline, as articulated by political ecologists Bram Büscher and Rosaleen Duffy. They challenge the efficacy of merely designating protected ranges in light of escalating extinction crises and assert the need for a broader examination of economic systems that contribute to environmental degradation. They argue, “Perhaps, without these efforts, things could have been even worse for nature, but an equally valid argument would be that area-based conservation has blinded many to the causes of Earth’s diminishing biodiversity.” In summary, these three upcoming summits represent a crucial junction in global efforts to rectify the adverse impacts of human activities on the planet. The intersection of climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution calls for cohesive, integrated solutions that address underlying economic and environmental systems, setting the stage for both immediate and long-term strategies to combat these pressing crises.
The ongoing climate crisis, alongside a profound loss of biodiversity and the escalating issue of plastic pollution, presents formidable challenges on a global scale. In light of these intertwined issues, nearly 200 nations are set to convene at three pivotal summits by the end of 2024. These conferences seek to address the urgent need for effective strategies to protect our ecosystems and transition towards sustainable practices. Colombia, Azerbaijan, and South Korea have been selected as hosts for discussions that will focus on establishing conservation goals, revising commitments to fossil fuel reduction, and negotiating agreements to tackle plastic waste. Experts highlight the interconnectivity of these issues, emphasizing that progress in one area can significantly influence the others, warranting comprehensive and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders involved.
In conclusion, the series of upcoming summits aimed at addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and plastic pollution represent a critical opportunity for nearly 200 nations to unify their efforts towards environmental sustainability. With evidence illustrating the interconnected nature of these crises, it is essential that solutions extend beyond surface-level measures. Collaborative actions must target the systemic and economic drivers of ecological degradation to establish resilient ecosystems capable of supporting life in a warming world. As the consequences of inaction become increasingly dire, these discussions will prove pivotal in shaping future policies and commitments for global environmental governance.
Original Source: phys.org
