Climate change could become the main driver of biodiversity decline by the mid-century, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed changes in land-use patterns and their impacts on biodiversity and found that biodiversity worldwide may have declined by 2-11%. The study, published in the journal ‘Science’, included all world regions in the model to address potential biases in data.
The researchers examined how biodiversity and ecosystems might evolve in the future and discovered that the combined effects of land-use change and climate change result in biodiversity loss across all global regions, regardless of emissions scenario. The study’s co-author, David Leclere, stated that climate change poses an imminent threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services, potentially overtaking land-use change as the primary driver of biodiversity loss by mid-century.
The study highlights the importance of a truly integrated approach that considers various sustainability aspects to reduce conflicts between policies and safeguard biodiversity in the coming decades. For example, while bio-energy deployment is crucial for climate stabilization scenarios, it also poses a threat to species habitats. The researchers emphasize the need for prioritizing conservation and restoration efforts as necessary natural climate solutions for protecting biodiversity.
For more information, read the full article on Times of India.
