The group called for a fundamental shift in the way people view biodiversity and argued that unless they recognize the link between their consumption choices and biodiversity loss, the diversity of life on earth will continue to fall.
Twenty-one percent of all known mammals, 30 percent of all known amphibians, 12 percent of all known birds and almost 25 percent of plant species would face extinction if people continue to engage in activities that are harmful to the environment.
The conservationists recognize that biodiversity loss is typically the result of human actions, leading to unique difficulties such as the implementation of an effective regulation, as no single body has jurisdiction over the world’s biodiversity.
Currently, the key factors contributing to biodiversity loss are the degradation, fragmentation and destruction of habitats; pollution; overexploitation of species; invasive species; and climate change.
“If we are to make any kind of impact, it is critical that that we begin to view biodiversity as a global public good, which provides such benefits as clean air and fresh water, and that this view is integrated not just into policies but also into society and individuals’ day-to-day decisions,» said Mike Rands, director of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and lead author of the paper published in the journal Science.
Lawmakers should apply the appreciation of biodiversity as a public good with economic and societal value into their policies involving the environment, the group suggested.
They believe that biodiversity must not be isolated as part of a nation’s environmental agenda. Rather, it must extend across all sectors of the government from treasury to defense.
In a global perspective, there must be greater support in conservation efforts in developing countries rich in biodiversity. Economists and conservationists must work more closely together with policy makers to develop strategies that use incentives and regulations to encourage more biodiversity-friendly behavior.
