a:gain [again]’s Post

🌊 Could this be the dawn of a new era for our oceans (and our future)? In a monumental push for global ocean protection and biodiversity, the EU is gearing up to ratify the High Seas Treaty! 🌍💧 Why does this matter? 🤔 The treaty transforms the governance of over half of the Earth’s surface and 95% of its ocean volume. Here’s why I’m particularly excited: 🍃 This treaty could be a game changer for protecting our planet's lungs - oceans are vital for absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. 🐳🦀 I imagine an ocean where majestic creatures like whales, turtles, and countless fish species can thrive without the threat of overfishing or habitat destruction. 🌎👫 Healthy oceans mean a healthier planet for all. As of now, the treaty has 89 signatures and 7 ratifications. It's a promising start, but achieving 60 ratifications to bring this treaty into effect is urgent - our oceans cannot wait any longer 🕔🌐 #HighSeasTreaty #OceanConservation #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #AquaticAnimalWelfare https://lnkd.in/d4AjqBPv 

Beyond borders: Why new 'high seas' treaty is critical for the world https://buff.ly/3YG9ROi UN delegates reach historic agreement on protecting marine biodiversity in international waters https://buff.ly/44hEJWD “It is also vital for achieving ocean-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” said the statement, referring to the so-called ‘30 by 30’ pledge to protect 30 per cent of the planet’s lands and inland waters, as well as of marine and coastal areas, by 2030 made by a historic UN conference in Montreal this past December. UN conference concludes with ‘historic’ deal to protect a third of the world’s biodiversity https://buff.ly/44jk30H Marine biodiversity gets a lifeline with high seas treaty https://buff.ly/44jk4lh Governments formally adopt High Seas Treaty, paving the way for greater ocean protection https://buff.ly/44jk4Sj “The high seas are humanity’s greatest global commons, and they are a vital part of our planet’s life-support system. But only about 1% of the high seas is currently protected,” said Pepe Clarke, Oceans Practice Leader, WWF. WWF: High Seas Treaty critical to achieving 30% global ocean protection goal …

We are in the final quarter of 2024 and the stakes for upcoming biodiversity and climate talks are rising. While Australia hosts the first Global Nature Positive Summit in Sydney this week, hurricane Milton barrels into Florida - the intensity of such storms exacerbated by climate change triggering rising sea surface temperatures and a warmer atmospheres which carries more water. And the Joint WWF and Zoological Society of London (ZSL) #LivingPlanet report today outlines new stats about the status of biodiversity - freshwater species populations have now crashed by 85% on average since I was born in 1970. Next week, in Cali, Colombia, the latest round of global biodiversity will begin. Having agreed the #GlobalBiodiversityFramework in Montreal two years ago including its 4 goals and 23 targets to reverse the loss of biodiversity and put nature on the path to recovery, just 20 countries have updated their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans to reflect this new ambition. What’s more, the commitments to mobilise new resources ($20 billion was promised from developed nations by 2025) remain inadequate as reported by Campaign for Nature. When parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meet in Baku, Azerbaijan in November, once again they will have to face up to the inadequacy of existing commitments and plans. Climate Action Tracker states “Current policies presently in place around the world are projected to result in about 2.7°C warming above pre-industrial levels. NDCs alone will limit warming to 2.5°C. When binding long-term or net-zero targets are included warming would be limited to about 2.1°C above pre-industrial levels.” The challenge is daunting. But, the BirdLife International community continues to inspire greater action by both businesses and governments through both its science and practical conservation. For example:  -         This week the Nature Positive Initiative – of which BirdLife International is a core partner - has launched an open consultation on State of Nature Metrics which will help businesses and government measure progress on the path to halting and reversing biodiversity declines – see here: https://lnkd.in/eKG-ejMm -         Having campaigned hard for the EU Nature Restoration Law (the world’s first), we’ve produced a practical guide for the 27 Member States to guide implementation -  see here: https://lnkd.in/eNZnTxyS -         BirdLife Partners will unite to use our voice for nature to influence talks in Sydney, Cali and Baku bolstered we by messages of hope from people from all round the world. You can add your own voice here: https://lnkd.in/evvY_JNs Yes, the challenge remains daunting but we remain driven by hope and optimism. And that's how we'll end the nature and climate emergency.

Are global policies enough to support Blue Carbon? 💧 Blue Carbon ecosystems like mangroves, seagrass, and tidal marshes are crucial for climate action and biodiversity conservation. With over 130 countries having these ecosystems, nearly 60 have included them in their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. International efforts, such as the UNFCCC, CBD, and the Ramsar Convention, highlight the importance of protecting these vital carbon sinks. By integrating Blue Carbon initiatives, businesses can align with global sustainability targets, enhance environmental stewardship, and foster community resilience. Please read our article for more: https://lnkd.in/g8z5fD3Y

Last week, WIRES attended the Nature Positive Summit. This event brought together key voices to discuss urgent action for Australia’s environment. Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for the Environment, reinforced the government’s commitment to making Australia’s economy nature-positive by protecting 30% of Australia's land and marine areas by 2030. In her words, it’s about “zero new extinctions and stopping biodiversity loss.” Meanwhile, NSW Minister Penny Sharpe highlighted that “We’re taking action on climate change, protecting what’s left, and looking at ways to restore what’s been harmed.” At WIRES, we wholeheartedly support these efforts. However, we urge state and federal governments to 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Australia's wildlife is acutely affected by increasing urbanisation and the impacts of climate change, leading to over 2,200 species and ecological communities being listed as "threatened by extinction". WIRES believes that stronger nature laws must be implemented urgently. In addition, adopting sustainable practices is essential to safeguard our unique flora and fauna for future generations. The time to act is now, and we must prioritise the protection of our irreplaceable biodiversity. Learn more about the Global Nature Positive Summit ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/ga3ct6PG

Just hot off the press!  🚨 We Are Failing Our Oceans: Only 2.8% of Marine Protected Areas Are "Effectively" Protected. 🚨 Nations have committed to protecting 30% of the planet’s oceans by 2030, as part of the 30x30 goal, a cornerstone of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), but our latest report reveals a troubling truth: 🌊 Only 8.3% of global marine areas are under protection and just 2.8% are "effectively" protected. This new report, launched today and authored by Metabolic, commissioned by Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative, and produced with the Marine Conservation Institute, SkyTruth, and Campaign for Nature, highlights the urgency. The 30x30 goal is historic, but we are falling short. More importantly, protection must be meaningful, stopping harmful practices like industrial fishing, bottom trawling, and oil and gas development. The report will be presented at COP16 in Cali, Colombia on October 28th in the For Coral pavilion. Download and share the report, and join us in the fight to save our oceans: https://lnkd.in/ecwrbfuR information and materials to support the campaign can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e33CAUYd #30x30 #MarineBiodiversity #COP16

🌍 Exploring a Decade of Impact with the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI)! 🌍 We're excited to share the latest insights from the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI) side event at #COP16Colombia. The event covered FERI's journey since its establishment by the Republic of Korea and the CBD Secretariat at COP12 in 2014, focusing on how FERI has supported developing countries in advancing forest restoration and biodiversity targets. Over the past decade, FERI has provided critical support in: 🌱 Building capacity and knowledge-sharing for effective forest restoration, 🔍 Developing decision-support tools tailored to national needs, 📈 Advancing forest-related goals within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). ➡️ Read more: https://lnkd.in/dcjani3C #FERI #ForestRestoration #GenerationRestoration #BiodiversityConservation #SustainableForests #KMGBF #GlobalGoals #COP16 #EcosystemRestoration

📚📅🔎OCTOBER'S BOOK OF THE MONTH! “Live and Let Others Live” is profoundly relevant amid current debates on sustainability and environmental conservation. It addresses the urgent challenges of climate change, deforestation, and species loss, emphasizing the imperative of coexisting harmoniously with nature. This philosophy underscores the vital need to safeguard our planet’s fragile ecosystems, promote responsible consumption, and preserve biodiversity. It resonates with contemporary dialogues on sustainable living, climate action, and global initiatives to address environmental crises, making it a highly pertinent and timely subject in our world today. ➡ https://lnkd.in/gnHH2iM5

🌿 Our planet is calling for action, and Europe aims to find an answer. As environmental stakeholders unite their voices, demanding robust biodiversity targets akin to the climate goals outlined in the #GreenDeal, it's evident that we're at a pivotal moment in shaping the future of our planet. Check out this insightful article by Euractiv, shedding light on Europe's urgent need for ambitious nature and biodiversity policies to pave the way for green, prosperous growth.    Noor Yafai, Europe Director of Global Policy and Institutional Partnerships at The Nature Conservancy, underlines it’s high time to bust the myth that businesses are anti-green policies and green regulation. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gndN6mzP #NatureRestoration #GreenDeal #EU

It was a real pleasure to be working on a marine project again, albeit with troubling findings. Very excited to see what comes of this work as we go into #COP16 and a critical time for #OceanConservation. It's time for action. 🚨 We Are Failing Our Oceans: Only 2.8% of Marine Protected Areas Are "Effectively" Protected 🚨 Nations have committed to protecting 30% of the planet’s oceans by 2030, as part of the 30x30 goal, a cornerstone of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), but our latest report reveals a troubling truth:  Only 8.3% of global marine areas are under protection and just 2.8% are "effectively" protected. This new report, launched today and authored by Metabolic, commissioned by Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative, and produced with the Marine Conservation Institute, SkyTruth, and Campaign for Nature, highlights the urgency. The 30x30 goal is historic, but we are falling short. More importantly, protection must be meaningful, stopping harmful practices like industrial fishing, bottom trawling, and oil and gas development. The report will be presented at COP16 in Cali, Colombia on October 28th in the For Coral pavilion. Download and share the report, and join us in the fight to save our oceans: https://bit.ly/3YntM6i Further information and materials to support the campaign can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eabtAP-D #OceanConservation #30x30 #MarineBiodiversity