BY DAVID MAFABI
MBALE
Around one million species are facing extinction, according to a report from IPBES, an independent intergovernmental science and policy body supported by the UN.
Giraffes, parrots, and oak trees have been included as some of the threatened species, as well as cacti and seaweed.
The report says the seaweed is one of the planet’s great survivors, and relatives of some modern-day seaweed can be traced back some 1.6 billion years.
It adds that seaweed plays a vital role in marine ecosystems, providing habitats and food for marine lifeforms, while large varieties – such as kelp – act as underwater nurseries for fish.
“However, mechanical dredging, rising sea temperatures, and the building of coastal infrastructure are contributing to the decline of the species,” reads the report in part August 2022.
The report adds that the world’s trees are also threatened by various sources, including logging, deforestation for industry and agriculture, firewood for heating and cooking, and climate-related threats such as wildfires.
“It is estimated that 31 percent of the world’s 430 types of oak are threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species. And 41 percent are of “conservation concern”, mainly due to deforestation for agriculture and fuel for cooking,” reads the report further in part.
It reveals that Giraffes are targeted for their meat, and suffer from the degradation of their habitat due to unsustainable wood harvesting, and increased demand for agricultural land; it’s estimated there are only around 600 West African giraffes left in the wild.
Mr. Fred Kizza, the Mt Elgon conservation area manager said the report was timely adding that Giraffes in Game parks in Uganda are facing threats from human beings.
“I know that Giraffes and other indigenous medicinal species are facing threats and face extinction if we don’t come up to protect them and this is mainly due to deforestation for agriculture, land for settlement, food and fuel for cooking,” said Mr Kizza.
Catastrophic results for humanity,
The current biodiversity crisis will be exacerbated, with catastrophic results for humanity, unless humans interact with nature in a more sustainable way, according to UN experts.
“The IPBES report makes it abundantly clear that wild species are an indispensable source of food, shelter, and income for hundreds of millions around the world,” says Ms. Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division at the United Nations Environment Programme {UNEP}
“Sustainable use is when biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are maintained while contributing to human well-being. By continuing to use these resources unsustainably, we are not just risking the loss and damage of these species’ populations; we are affecting our own health and well-being and that of the next generation.” She added
Indigenous knowledge
The report illustrates the importance of indigenous people being able to secure tenure rights over their land, as they have long understood the value of wild species and have learned how to use them sustainably.
The examples of the kinds of transformative changes that are needed to reduce biodiversity loss include equitable distribution of costs and benefits, changes in social values, and effective governance systems.
Currently, governing loss, including equitable distribution of costs and benefits, changes in social values, and effective governance systems.
