In December almost 200 countries agreed to halt the decline in nature by the end of the decade
RH Desk
New Delhi
A new study has suggested that ambitious targets to halt the decline in nature may already be slipping out of reach.
In December almost 200 countries agreed to halt the decline in nature by the end of the decade.
The study, published in the Royal Society journal, Proceedings B, analysed trends in populations of more than 600 different species of birds and mammals also said the effects of climate change and habitat loss on animal populations have been underestimated.
According to the scientist, preventing extinctions may take longer than expected and that unless we act now global biodiversity targets will be out of reach.
“What this analysis is highlighting is that it’s even harder than we think [to meet the targets]” Dr Robert Freeman of the Institute of Zoology in London was quoted by BBC as saying.
“We need to act more urgently and more quickly, and tackle more things to achieve them.”
“We’ve seen delayed effects of up to 40 years for large mammals and birds,” Dr Freeman told BBC News. “And that means that the longer we wait to take action the longer it will take to see any kind of response.”
In December countries signed up to a landmark agreement setting global goals to address biodiversity loss.
A total of 188 governments including the UK committed to global targets for 2030, from reducing global food waste by half to phasing out subsidies that harm biodiversity.
