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Throughout the world biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. We intend to make an emotional appeal to save biodiversity through bio-diversity related facts and figures and nature photography. The SDGs 14 & 15 are related to conserve & protect biodiversity.
Creeping development activities leading to significant amounts of forest loss. Between 2000 to 2020, globally the proportion of forest area declined from 31.9 percent to 31.2 percent. This marginal decline equates to 100 million hectares of forest area. The primary reason for this loss is due to expansion of agriculture. At the same time, the Food Waste Index Report 2021 highlights that around one-third of food produced globally gets lost or wasted (i.e. 1.3 billion tonnes each year). SO, DO WE REALLY NEED MORE AGRICULTURAL LAND?
Insects are the biological foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems and they have a significant influence on the nutrient recycling process, pollination, dispersion of seeds, decomposition and improvements to soil fertility, food for other species and supporting agriculture. It is estimated that there are about 1.4 billion insects per person on this planet. Unfortunately, the rate of extinction of insects is eight times greater than that of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Intensified agriculture is the main cause of this decline and thus we need to change the way we undertake our agriculture.
The insect population accounts for bout two-thirds of all terrestrial species, but a 27-year longitudinal study shows that in several of ermany’s protected areas about 76% of its flying insect biomass has been lost. At the same time, the silver lining is that the insect population can be recovered within a short span of time with little support.
The insect population accounts for bout two-thirds of all terrestrial species, but a 27-year longitudinal study shows that in several of ermany’s protected areas about 76% of its flying insect biomass has been lost. At the same time, the silver lining is that the insect population can be recovered within a short span of time with little support.
It is estimated that about 20,000 African elephants are killed every year for their tusks and only 400,000 African elephants are left in the wild from a population of 12
million a century ago. Commercially ivories are sold in the United States, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong.
Elephants are the ecosystem engineers. They help to maintain the savanna, disperse seeds, and create pathways in the dense forest for other animals. Wildlife crime is defined as harvesting and trading contrary to national law. Between $48 to $153 billion of resources are lost due to the illegal Wildlife Trade.
» Wholesale prices for illegal ivory in China over the years are as follows: US$ 750 per Kg in 2010; US$ 2100 per Kg in 2014; US$ 1100 per Kg in 2015; US$ 728 in 2018.
» Ivory prices paid to poachers in Kenya and Tanzania were between US$148 to 95 per kg in 2014; US$ 88 to 78 per Kg in 2016; US$ 54.5 to 40 per kg in 2018.
Bees are the most essential pollinators: there are over 16,000 known bee species around the world. Bees pollinate about 70 of the 100 crop species. About 90 % of the world’s population depends on bees. It is estimated that honeybee pollination contributes four to $AUS six billion to the Australian economy. Unfortunately, across the globe, the bee population is declining at an alarming rate. Between 2006 and 2016 the Australia lost 100 thousand commercial honeybee hives and among the Australian states and territories, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland lost the most. Exposure to pathogens, agrochemicals, and habitat loss and degradation are the main causes of decline in the bee population.
Wildlife crime not only endangers animal species but also increases the chances of spreading unknown and deadly diseases. The data shows seventy-five percent of emerging infectious diseases, such as Bird flu, Ebola and Covid 19, are zoonotic.
Habitat encroachment and land degradation are primary pathways for new infectious diseases transmission.
Globally , one fifth of the Earth’s land area (equivalent to the combined land mass of Russia and India) is degraded and land degradation is affecting the well-being of 3.2 billion people.
Between 1970 and 2016 there has been a sharp decline in a wide range of species. It is estimated that, on average, there is a 68% decrease in the population sizes of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. The main reasons are that over the last 50 years there have been significant increases in human populations, consumption, and urbanisation. The rate of decline is not the same across the region, however tropical areas saw the largest decline in biodiversity.
Today only about 27,000 rhinos remain in the wild; whereas in 1973 this figure was 70,000. Now-a-days very few rhinos can survive outside national parks and reserves because of poaching and habitat loss.
The average wholesale prices of whole rhino horn are about US $ 18,881 per Kg in 2017.
The Cheetah population is declining at a rate of 2.26 % annually.
Illegal trade and Habitat loss are the biggest threats to Cheetahs.
About 6,674 of the adult Cheetah population is left in the wild.
In the United States, there is no federal law that prohibits the possession and sale of big cats and exotic pets including tigers and lions.
In the US, privately-owned commercial facilities crossbreed big cats, and with some generating over US $ 1 million per year.
Between 2000 and 2020, forest area increased in Asia, Europe, and North America.
However, significant decreases have been recorded in Latin America, Sub-Sahara Africa, and South Eastern Asia.
It is a known fact that biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. But the more alarming fact is that only one-third of countries are on track to achieve their national biodiversity targets.
Sustainable Development is dependent on the quality of natural resources and biodiversity to meet social and economic developmental needs. However, only 7.8 % of SDG targets directly quantify natural resources. 8.2% of SDG targets measures the conditions for natural resource protection. 84% of SDG targets measures socio-economic development.
Globally, Key Marine Biodiversity Areas are included under PROTECTED AREAS.
In 2000 THE FIGURE WAS 30.5%.
In 2019 THE FIGURE INCREASED TO 46%.
Modern industrial fishing techniques, including damaged fishing nets left out in the marine habitat, are some of the biggest threats to marine life.
Different Actors in Wildlife Crime :
Between 1970 and 2016 there has been a sharp decline in a wide range of species. It is estimated that, on average, there is a 68% decrease in the population sizes of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. The main reasons are that over the last 50 years there have been significant increases in human populations, consumption, and urbanisation. The rate of decline is not the same across the region, however tropical areas saw the largest decline in biodiversity.
Australia is one of the prosperous OECD economies. In the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Index, Australia is ranked 35th among 193 UN Member States with an overall score of 75.58 (as per 2021 available data). In this ranking Finland is the highest-ranking SDG country with an overall score of 85.90. A score of 100 indicates that all Sustainable Development Goals have been achieved.
The country’s overall the Human Development Index (HDI) ranking is 8th out 189 countries with an overall HDI value of 0.944 as per the 2020 UNDP Human Development Report. In 2015 the Country was at the 2nd position out of 188 countries as per the 2016 UNDP Human Development Report. Australia is also one of the early adopters of sustainable development strategy. Australia adopted the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development in 1992.
At the same time our country faces many challenges because of over-consumption behaviour, discrimination to aboriginal communities, catastrophic bushfire, regular drought, climate change challenges, obesity, gender gaps, green-house gas emission and ageing population.
To advocate for how to live within the ecological limits of this BLUE PLANET – Our ONLY Home.
