The long-term survival of humanity on Earth is threatened by two intertwined catastrophes: climate change and biodiversity loss. These interconnected challenges must be addressed collectively, as they exacerbate each other. A study published in Science, coinciding with Earth Day, emphasizes the link between climate change and mass extinctions, suggesting solutions to tackle both issues while mitigating their social consequences.
This collaborative research includes 18 global experts and stems from two United Nations organizations: the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A virtual workshop held in December 2020 brought together 62 scientists from these two groups, culminating in the publication of their findings during Earth Day 2023, themed "Invest in Our Planet."
Human activities have significantly impacted the Earth, altering 75% of its land surface and 66% of its seas. With the loss of approximately 80% of mammal biomass and 50% of plant biomass, the number of species facing extinction has reached an all-time high. Global warming and habitat destruction, such as deforestation, not only directly cause species loss, but also diminish the capacity of organisms, soils, and sediments to sequester carbon dioxide, thereby exacerbating CO2 emissions and global warming.
Species migration to adapt to changing temperatures has limits. For instance, coral reefs may vanish entirely as ocean temperatures rise due to their slow habitat adaptation. Even species with greater migration abilities will encounter barriers in their colonization efforts.
To "invest in our Planet," simultaneous actions are required: a significant reduction in greenhouse emissions, a maximum target of +1.5°C, and the protection or restoration of at least 30% of land, freshwater, and seas to prevent major biodiversity losses and preserve ecosystem functionality. In turn, these efforts will aid in combating global warming. Restoring just 15% of converted land areas could prevent 60% of expected extinction events and remove up to 300 gigatonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere long-term.
Better management of protected areas is also essential, viewing them as interconnected components of a global low-impact network that enables migration corridors for endangered species. Furthermore, food production areas must be managed sustainably, prioritizing carbon fixation in biomass and soil, and creating habitats that attract species vital to agriculture, such as pollinators. By addressing climate change and biodiversity loss collectively, we can work towards securing our species' long-term survival on Earth.
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