The aim to preserve life on land is one of the sustainability goals and to achieve this by 2030, we need to revoke every policy and action that causes damage to biodiversity and most importantly, adopt the sustainable use of the ecosystem. This means to limit the usage of natural resources by protecting and providing provisions for future generations, thereby preventing the environment from long term decline.
The first step to the goal is to withdraw activities that make it hard for the present and future generations to live on the earth. American author David C Korten in his book The Great Turning had discussed how all the living beings depend on one another and adapt and evolve through times. In the book, he refers to the studies of Lynn Margulies and Dorian Sagan about the cooperative alliances between different species to overcome the risk of extinction. The author believes in such kind of cooperation from the present world to adapt and improvise while dealing with climate change.
Fast Facts
To understand the depth of the issue and significance of cooperation, we should consider certain facts about the earth.
- Mountain regions provide 60-80% of freshwater on the earth. Climate change is affecting the mountain regions by melting glaciers; thus, the river water flow is altering and results in intense flooding and drought. This would also lead to a drastic decline in freshwater sources.
- Roughly 2/4 of the world’s population depends on agriculture for livelihood. High levels of changes in temperature and an increase in CO2 emissions create soil disturbances and low productivity.
- Substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is possible through natural climate solutions. This nature-based climate solution is a method of storing more carbon in the terrain and reducing its emissions. Already, coastal areas, grasslands, and forests store a considerable amount of carbon. Therefore by increasing the storage, emissions can be reduced.
- Forest resources are the livelihood of about 1.6 billion indigenous people. Almost 3.6 billion hectares subject to desertification and 13 million hectares of forests are cleared every year. This creates a sociological dilemma of taking away the livelihood of indigenous people and environmental issues like rising temperatures and resource depletion. Also, about 80% of terrestrial species like plants, insects, and animals reside in forests.
Goals To Be Attained
All the different terrestrial species, forests, mountain regions, coastal areas, and freshwater sources are essential elements for our existence and well being. Erosion of these elements is the reason behind the severe climate change. The United Nations Environmental Protection Agency has certain goals to achieve by the year 2030. The answer to where exactly are we at the mission is quite depressing, and the ideals are not free from criticisms.
Yet, the amount of reduction in pollution due to the Covid-19 lockdown and the positive change on the ozone layer is a hint that if the goals are properly practiced it can have a substantial improvement in the natural system. The following are the sustainability goals to be attained:
- Halt desertification by conservation of land and soil.
- Prevent deforestation and ensure the increase in afforestation and reforestation.
- Sustainable management of ecosystems, particularly the mountain regions, drylands, and forests.
- Protect all species from extinction and evade the trafficking of flora and fauna as well as preserve their habitats.
- Giving primacy to the ecosystem in international, national, and local planning.
- Supporting and protecting the life and livelihood of indigenous communities.
- Promote equitable and limited utilization of resources. And,
- Increase financial support for maintaining the sustainability goal.
The threats of climate change have rocketed in the past few years, making it impossible to do away with it or act carelessly like politicians and corporations. Climate Change is a now or never situation in which the decisions from authorities and individuals will, either way, have an immeasurable impact on the environment in the coming years.
Problems we now face are the outcome of human beings breaking the natural alliance with the ecosystems for economic gain out of greed. Hereafter, earth requires a cooperative alliance to tackle climate change and to achieve the sustainability goal of active and equitable life on land.
About the Author: Nivya Jayan is a passionate writer and graduate in Economics. A reader for life, interested in politics and diplomacy.