Global warming, biodiversity loss, food and water insecurity, but also health risks. The crises the world is currently facing are all interconnected. Those following this news may doubt it. But science has confirmed it today in a landmark report released this week by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The result of exhaustive synthesis work carried out over three years by approximately 165 researchers.
Targeting a specific crisis doesn’t solve anything
What did it do? “Nexus Report” IPBES emphasizes that isolated efforts to address these crises are, at best, ineffective. At worst, counterproductive. Paula Harrison, co-chair of the plenary session that approved the text, exemplifies this schistosomiasisschistosomiasis It is an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms that can appear in water. According toWorld Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization (WHO), it causes about 12,000 deaths every year. Especially in Africa.
do you know
More than 50% of the world’s population lives in areas facing the greatest impacts on biodiversity, water availability and quality and food security, increased health risks and adverse effects of climate change.
The shape deserves attention. Especially since, in fact, schistosomiasis (bilharzia) disables more than kills. It causes painpain belly, DiarrheaDiarrhea and the appearance of blood in the stool. It can lead to infertility or the development of bladder cancer. About 250 million people worldwide could benefit from preventive treatment.
“But, treated only as a health problem – usually with drugs – the disease often returns when people are re-infected. An innovative project in rural Senegal reduced water pollution by And took a different approach by removing invasive aquatic plants to reduce habitat for snails harboring disease-carrying parasites, which helped reduce infections in children by 32 percent, improving access to fresh water. Improved and watered Generated new income for local communities.
The hidden drivers of crises that threaten us.
Another key message of the report is the importance of taking into account what the researchers call, in managing these crises. “Indirect Drivers”. Take the example of biodiversity loss. Scientists have identified some. “Direct Motors” such as land and sea use change, unsustainable exploitation, invasive alien species and pollution. But Nexus report Highlights other causes such as increased waste, overconsumption or even population growth. Of “Indirect Drivers” Which directly accelerates drivers and worsens impacts on other crises, food security, water quality and availability, health and well-being. flexibilityflexibility climate change.
IPBES researchers emphasize that the majority of factors associated with these indirect drivers have increased since the turn of our century. However, governments fail to take care of them. Sometimes out of simple ignorance. But in addition, because of the fragmentation of objectives mentioned above.
Too many options for a comprehensive answer
gave Nexus report It concludes in a scenario of Business as usual Indirect factors as well as indirect factors will worsen our situation. Likewise if we try to maximize the consequences of just one of the environmental crises we are facing. Prioritizing food production will have positive effects on health. Impacts on biodiversity, water and global warming will be negative.
But researchers have also identified scenarios that produce positive outcomes from all perspectives. “The biggest beneficiaries are those whose actions are focused on production and Sustainable consumptionSustainable consumptionTogether with the protection and restoration of EcosystemEcosystemReducing Pollution, Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change »in an IPBES press release, explains Paula Harrison.
Because the report’s authors believe there are solutions — and sometimes cheap ones — they now offer more than 70. “Response options ». For example, restoring ecosystems rich in CarbonCarbon — Forests, soil and MangrovesMangroves. or managing biodiversity to reduce the risk of disease spreading from animals to humans. Or even adopting a healthy and sustainable diet.
17 goals can be achieved by implementing all these solutions together. Sustainable developmentSustainable development 2030 adopted by the United Nations. It also allows you to save. “Good examples include marine protected areas that involve communities in management and decision-making.”concluded Pamela McElwee, second co-chair of the IPBES plenary session.“These areas have made it possible to increase biodiversity, increase abundance. PiscesPisces feeding people, improving the incomes of local communities and often increasing tourism income.
As a reminder, researchers estimate that more than $50,000 billion, or half Gross domestic productGross domestic product The world is at least moderately dependent on nature. And that the unaccounted costs of current approaches to economic activity—reflecting impacts on biodiversity, water, food production, health and climate change—are thus at least $10,000 to $25,000 billion per year!
