BLOG SURF
The Asia Pacific region is home to 17 of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. Millions in the region are directly dependent on nature for subsistence and developing countries in the area are taking a stronger stand on stemming nature loss by developing a robust and realistic global strategy on biodiversity. The strategy under discussion in the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, has put forward ambitious targets aimed at scaling up ecosystem restoration, reducing the extinction risk of species, and protecting 30% of land, freshwater and marine areas by 2030.
Restoring and responsibly managing ecosystems and biodiversity not only supports nature; it also has a crucial role in bending the curve on climate change and ensuring human survival. Ecosystems regulate the global climate and are buffers against natural disasters. They are vital in sequestering and storing CO2, removing pollutants from the atmosphere, and regulating water flow, among other services. Humans are dependent on biodiversity for food, livelihood, and health. - blog.adb.org/blogs
A version of this article appears in the print on June 13, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.