An international coalition of scientists has unveiled a critical initiative known as the Global Deal for Nature (GDN). This plan targets the prevention of the sixth mass extinction on Earth. This effort is grounded in three principal objectives and requires an annual investment of $100 billion. The primary goal? To safeguard the abundance and diversity of life on Earth.
The Global Deal for Nature: A Threefold Mission
Scientists have designed the GDN with three fundamental goals in mind. The first is to conserve at least 30% of the Earth’s surface by 2030 to protect biodiversity. Secondly, to combat climate change, emphasis is placed on conserving natural carbon storehouses. The final goal focuses on reducing major threats. Humanity is currently witnessing a significant loss of species. This mass extinction event, while not new in history, displays characteristics unique to the present time.
The History of Mass Extinction
Life on Earth has suffered five episodes of mass extinctions over the past 3 billion years, even before humans existed. These extinctions are categorized by the End Ordovician, Late Devonian, End Permian, End Triassic, and End Cretaceous periods. Each episode led to a massive reduction in species due to various factors such as severe ice ages, cataclysmic eruptions, surfacing of new land plants, and more. The ongoing ‘Sixth Extinction’ differs primarily due to its rapid pace, estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times faster than pre-human times.
| Extinction Era | Impact | Possible Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| End Ordovician | 86% of species lost | Severe ice age affecting sea levels, possibly triggered by the uplift of the Appalachians. |
| Late Devonian | 75% of species lost | The emergence of land plants stirred up the earth, releasing nutrients into the ocean. |
| End Permian | 96% of species lost | A massive eruption near Siberia expelling significant amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere. |
| End Triassic | 80% of species lost | No clear causes have been found. |
| End Cretaceous | 76% of all species lost | Volcanic activity, climate change, and asteroid impact. |
Factors Driving Current Mass Extinction
The expanding human footprint has caused habitat loss, overhunting, overfishing, invasive species introduction, toxic pollution, and climate change. Unfortunately, the vertebrate population has witnessed an average drop of 60% since 1970. As a result, 338 species have become extinct, and the count climbs to 617 when including “extinct in the wild” and “possibly extinct.” Species recent extinctions include the northern white rhino and Spix’s macaw, a native Brazilian blue parrot.
The Threatened Species
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that currently, there are around 26,500 species threatened with extinction. This count includes 40% of amphibian species, 33% of reef-building corals, 25% of mammals, and 14% of birds. Notable declines include the African Lion population, now only 43% of its size in 1993. There are only 7,000 cheetahs left, while the Amur leopard count stands at a mere 100.
The Consequences of Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity loss can have severe implications, especially on the food chain and human life. Ocean reefs, which support over 25% of marine life, have already reduced by 50%, and could completely disappear by 2050. This is contributing to the overall decline in global marine life, down by an average of 50% since 1970. Generally, a reduction in biodiversity can lead to decreased plant production, less resilience against environmental changes like drought, and increasing variability in certain natural processes, including water use and pest and disease cycles.