Climate change and biodiversity loss pose a "more fundamental threat" to the UK than terrorism or Vladimir Putin, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in his first major policy speech, reported the Independent newspaper. In speech at London's Kew Gardens, Lammy said climate change and biodiversity loss "may not be as pressing as a terrorist or an imperialist autocrat" but are "more fundamental... systemic... pervasive... and accelerating towards us", the Independent said. Financial Times said Lammy had pledged to make climate change and biodiversity loss "central to everything the Foreign Office does" and to create "special representatives" in each area. The Guardian he noted that it would be the first time the UK had appointed a special envoy for nature. (More on carbonbrief.org)

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, "nature-based solutions harness nature and the power of healthy ecosystems to protect people, optimize infrastructure and ensure a stable and biodiverse future." These solutions play a significant role in mitigating climate change and are estimated to generate more than 30 % of emissions reductions needed to limit global warming. In addition, they play a key role in addressing biodiversity loss, restoring natural habitats and supporting communities to adapt by improving health and socio-economic conditions. (Pam Cheng, more at weforum.org)

Concerned about the loss of biodiversity worldwide due to climate change, an international team of scientists has proposed a new approach to managing vulnerable landscapes, focusing on sites least affected by changing weather. These places, known as climate change refuges, experience weather conditions that are most favorable for their survival and may be the key to reducing species extinction, ecologists say.

In a new paper written by scientists from Australia, Canada, the United States and Hungary, scientists set out a framework for identifying, protecting and restoring refuges from climate change.

Document published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution calls for an alternative to traditional conservation efforts that have focused on creating static protected areas. (Candy Gibson, University of South Australia, more at phys.org)

The European Commission is considering a market system that would encourage farmers and industry to protect nature and restore lost biodiversity by putting a price on ecosystems. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said today (September 13) that the EU must create new financial instruments to reward farmers who contribute to reversing biodiversity loss and climate change.

"We need new financial instruments to compensate farmers for the additional costs of sustainability and to compensate them for taking care of land, soil, water and air," von der Leyen said.

On June 24, 2024, the European Union adopted the regulation (EU) 2024/1991 on the restoration of nature, published on July 29, 2024 in the Official Journal of the European Union and effective from August 18, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulation"). The regulation, which introduces legally binding targets and obligations for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, will have a significant impact on businesses operating within the European Union. The aim of this paper is to outline the main consequences that the adoption of the regulation will have for companies, and at the same time to provide an overview of the measures necessary for effective preparation. (Pinella Altiero, Melania Mazzonová, more at lexology.com)

On Sunday (August 18), the regulation on the restoration of nature (law on the restoration of nature) came into force. Full implementation of the law is key to restoring EU biodiversity and halting further biodiversity loss, achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and adapting to climate change, and increasing food security for EU citizens. The law will thereby support the achievement of other European ambitions, such as water security.

It is also a key tool to help the EU and its Member States meet their international biodiversity commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The law sets in motion the process of continuous and sustainable restoration of nature on EU land and sea, while promoting more sustainable economic development and agricultural production and hand in hand with the development of renewable energy. (More on environment.ec.europa.eu)

There have been calls for a common approach to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss for years, but a coordinated global policy is still lacking. The world is facing unprecedented changes in climate conditions and drastic loss of biological diversity, which threatens humanity. The breakdown of the Earth's climate and the rapid decline of wildlife are interconnected, but the response of governments to these crises currently fails to recognize the deep connection between the two.

There have been calls for a joint approach to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss for years, but a coordinated global policy is still lacking.

Humanity risks catastrophic global warming if it focuses only on decarbonisation at the expense of restoring the natural world, Colombia's environment minister said in preparation for a key world summit on nature later this year.

Susana Muhamad, who will chair October's Cop16 UN biodiversity summit in Cali, said a singular focus on reducing carbon emissions while failing to restore and protect natural ecosystems would be "dangerous to humanity" and risk societal collapse. (Patrik Greenfield, more at theguardian.com)

Biodiversity loss has a knock-on effect that affects both the future of your students and your research goals. Biodiversity is threatened worldwide by climate change, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation of natural resources, and growing cities and populations. As an educator and responsible for spreading knowledge, you have a key role to play in solving this crisis. What you teach the next generation will be critical to our ability to meet future environmental and social challenges. By integrating biodiversity into the curriculum at all levels, encouraging nature-focused research and guiding students to take informed action, you can create the foundation for transformative change. On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, we offer you six ways that educators can integrate biodiversity conservation into curricula and research activities.

1. Creation of courses and materials on biodiversity:

Include biodiversity education in schools and universities. Provide training in biodiversity management and conservation so that classrooms become centers of conservation awareness and activities. Consider creating certification programs in biodiversity conservation and training teachers in best practices. Mentor research that addresses pressing biodiversity issues with real-world impacts.

2. Implementation of research and cooperation on protection and policy making:

Your research can improve understanding of biodiversity and influence policy decisions. Collaborate on citizen science projects to contribute valuable data. You can also get involved in initiatives to promote sustainability, such as protecting wildlife corridors on your campus.

3. Providing research opportunities for students and professionals:

Offer students and professionals rich hands-on research opportunities to directly contribute to biodiversity conservation. Consider competitive summer internships and multi-year scholarship programs. Connect students with local conservation groups and ensure financial support for all students involved.

4. Cooperation and engagement with businesses, policy makers and civil society:

Raise awareness of biodiversity and participate in the creation and protection of knowledge. Organize public lectures and workshops, collaborate with NGOs and increase biodiversity literacy. Connect with industry partners to promote sustainability and work with international organizations to share best practices.

5. Funding and support of international teaching missions:

Virtual or face-to-face exchanges expose students to different issues and cultures, promoting greater awareness and conservation efforts. Offer micro-credentials for students and professionals to lecture on specific topics abroad and spread important knowledge across borders.

6. Organization of field trips and practical learning:

Plan excursions to nature reserves, national parks or organic farms. These trips will allow students to see biodiversity in practice and understand the importance of its protection directly in the field.

7. Interdisciplinary approaches:

Integrate biodiversity topics into subjects as diverse as biology, geography, social sciences and even art. This holistic approach will show how biodiversity affects different aspects of society and everyday life.

8. Simulation games and interactive activities:

Use simulation games where students can see the impacts of their decisions on ecosystems and biodiversity. Interactive activities, such as creating a "living wall" or ecosystem model, can help students better understand the complexity of nature's relationships.

9. Digital tools and online courses:

Use digital tools and online platforms to spread knowledge about biodiversity. Many universities and organizations offer online courses and resources that can be incorporated into a traditional learning environment.

10. Company-based projects:

Engage students in projects that work with local communities to protect biodiversity. These hands-on applications can raise awareness while strengthening connections between students and their community.

11. Environmental clubs and student organizations:

Support the creation of environmental clubs and student organizations that will address biodiversity issues. These groups can organize awareness campaigns as well as practical activities such as cleaning up natural sites.

12. Challenges and competitions:

Organize competitions and challenges aimed at protecting biodiversity, for example creating innovative solutions to local biodiversity problems or artwork that shows the importance of protecting the natural world.

13. Cooperation with experts and institutions:

Invite experts from the field of ecology and nature protection to lectures and workshops. Cooperation with universities, research institutions and organizational bodies can bring up-to-date knowledge and experience to education.

14. Local preservation and monitoring of biodiversity:

Initiate projects aimed at inventorying and monitoring local biodiversity. Involvement of students in these projects can increase their knowledge of local ecosystems and contribute to their conservation.

15. Sustainability in everyday school:

Implement sustainability programs in schools such as recycling, composting, reducing plastic waste and creating green spaces. Students can be involved in these activities and learn practical steps to protect the environment.

16. Spreading awareness through art projects:

Encourage students to create art projects that highlight the beauty and importance of biodiversity. These can be exhibitions, film projects or theater performances.

17. Partnership with gardens and zoos:

Collaborate with botanic gardens, zoos and other organizations involved in biodiversity conservation. Their expert guidance and resources can be a wonderful addition to traditional teaching.

Incorporating biodiversity protection into education can be implemented in various creative and innovative ways that will strengthen students' knowledge and sensitivity to this important topic.

Protecting biodiversity starts in the classroom. As educators, researchers and stewards of knowledge, you have a unique opportunity to spark change and lead new generations to protect biodiversity. Your students and colleagues need not only knowledge, but also leadership on the issues that will shape our future. Be an example to follow and make every day "Biodiversity Day" (Co2AI)

Afforestation is an essential tool in the fight against climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during the process of photosynthesis, store carbon in their tissues and release oxygen. This natural process reduces the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

In addition to carbon sequestration, reforestation offers a number of other environmental benefits such as biodiversity . In fact, forests provide essential habitats for many animal and plant species, thus contributing to the preservation of biodiversity. (More on dazebaonews.it)

Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. EU countries are committed to restoring nature and preserving its biological diversity.

Have you ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes forces behind the vibrant array of plants that surround us? Or have you questioned the tangible but mysterious transformation of our nature over the centuries? Scientists from the renowned University of York have revealed the impact of man on biodiversity.

Our lead researcher on this time-hopping story is Jonathan Gordon, a postdoctoral fellow at the Leverhulme Center for Anthropocene Biodiversity at the University of York. (Sanjana Gajbhiye, more at earth.com)

On June 17, 2024, the ministers of the environment of the EU member states adopted a new regulation on the restoration of nature. This was preceded by a heated debate, during which in March the Netherlands withdrew its support based on a parliamentary proposal, as Dutch MPs considered the targets unachievable and wanted to meet existing commitments first. Nevertheless, the unexpected support of Austria enabled the approval of the regulation. What does this acceptance mean for practice?

The introduction of the regulation responds to the serious and continuous decline of nature in Europe. Assessments show that only 15 % habitats are in good status, while 45 %s have a moderately unfavorable and 36 %s a poor conservation status. The situation in the Netherlands is even worse: around 90 % habitat types and 75 % species show an unfavorable status, while only 21 % habitats and 14 % species show a positive trend.

Existing policies, including the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Water Framework Directive, already set out obligations to maintain and restore natural habitats, species and water quality. Member States must ensure that the quality of these natural resources does not deteriorate.

The new regulation clarifies these obligations, specifying specific places and dates where and when measures should be taken to improve the state of conservation. It sets out the dates and goals that they want to achieve by restoring at least 20 % of terrestrial and marine areas of the Union by 2030 and all necessary ecosystems by 2050. It also contains obligations to restore habitat types and prevent their deterioration if they reach a satisfactory state.

Within two years of the entry into force of the Regulation, Member States have to submit a draft national recovery plan to the Commission. This plan should contain an assessment of the state of ecosystems, a description of restoration measures, an implementation schedule, a monitoring and financing plan.

The Netherlands has estimated that meeting the objectives of the regulation will require investments of around €76 billion, while the societal costs of non-implementation are estimated to be at least €129 billion. As space is scarce in the Netherlands, the implementation of the law will require more precise decisions about the use of space, which may also affect existing activities. Interest in the restoration of nature will have a more central place in permitting. (Co2AI)

More than 70 % of marine litter is deposited on the Italian seabed and there is an average of 400 pieces of litter every 100 meters on the beaches. And this is only one of the dangers that threaten the Mediterranean Sea. "It is an almost closed sea surrounded by around 500 million people and numerous anthropic activities," explains Giordano Giorgi, head of the National Center for Environmental Characterization and Protection of the Coastal Zone, Marine Climatology and Operational Oceanography of ISPRA and responsible for the Pnrr MER project (Restoration marine ecosystem) - as a result, the contribution of land-based pollutants is one of the elements of concern, although compared to the 1970s and 1980s the situation in the Adriatic thanks to cleaning systems. are creating accumulations at sea that are still far from replicating the plastic islands in the Pacific from multiple sources such as domestic washing systems and plastic waste. present on the seabed, which we also find in the fish that reach our tables". (MARINA SANTINOVÁ, more at quotidiano.net)

Forests and meadows are real wonders for storing CO2. However, climate-related events such as extreme droughts or forest fires threaten them, and thus the environment for countless animal and plant species. To protect forests and meadows, scientists recommend the concept of biodiversity. Bernd Fuchs explains what this means in Climate Update. The most convenient way to support biodiversity is not to mow the lawn or lawn in the garden. When dandelions, daisies, clovers and sedges are allowed to bloom instead of being shaved, the insects are happy. On the other hand, a flawless English lawn that is mowed once a week is worthless to insects. The increase in insects means more food for birds, hedgehogs and other small animals in the garden. (More on wetter.de)

No matter what sector you operate in, the ripple effect of biodiversity loss can affect every aspect of your business – from resource procurement to consumer satisfaction and investor confidence. (more…)