World Biodiversity Council calls for a broader approach to solving crises
Published: Tuesday, Dec 17th 2024, 15:20
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Ecological, social and economic crises are not only interlinked - they are mutually reinforcing. This is the conclusion of a new report by the United Nations World Biodiversity Council (IPBES).
Scientists from Switzerland were also heavily involved in the report. Previous attempts to deal with such crises separately have proven to be ineffective and counterproductive. Among other things, this has led to inconsistent policy-making.
The so-called "Nexus Report" was approved by a meeting of representatives of the 147 IPBES member states in Namibia's capital Windhoek. 165 experts from 57 countries examined more than 70 specific scenarios for maximizing crisis management in five areas: biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change.
Example health sector
Specifically, the problem can be explained using the example of the parasitic worm disease schistosomiasis, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide, mainly in Africa. According to the authors of the report, if schistosomiasis is treated solely as a health challenge with medication, it often reoccurs as people become infected again.
An innovative project in the West African country of Senegal has achieved considerable success with a more comprehensive approach: It focuses on reducing water pollution and eliminating invasive aquatic plants. This reduces the habitat of the snails that harbor the parasitic worms that transmit schistosomiasis to humans. As a result, the number of infections in children has fallen by 32 percent. In addition, local communities' access to fresh water has improved, creating new opportunities for income.
Developing countries particularly affected
According to IPBES, more than half of the world's population lives in areas that are most affected by the decline in biodiversity, water availability and quality and food security, and where health risks and the negative effects of climate change are increasing. These primarily include developing countries, including small island states and indigenous peoples.
However, the report is also relevant for Switzerland, according to a press release from the Swiss Academy of Sciences (Scnat). Certain processes described in the report, such as the connection between water consumption and agriculture, are very strong in Switzerland.
"The diversity of mountains and valleys means that water, energy and food production often compete for the same land where biodiversity is highest and which is most affected by climate change," Maria Santos from the University of Zurich, lead author of the report, was quoted as saying. Internationally, Switzerland could also use its strong financial sector, for example, to help implement approaches that reduce the negative consequences of the current financial system.
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