Human societies need a radical shift to halt ecological destruction, the UN Biodiversity Expert Panel (IPBES) declared in its “Transformative Change” report released Wednesday. The study outlines how overconsumption in wealthier nations, concentration of power, and disconnection from nature drive the planet’s decline.
The report provides pathways for combating biodiversity loss and preventing the collapse of crucial ecosystems. It stresses collective responsibility, calling on governments, businesses, and individuals to work together to tackle the crisis.
The three examples of transformative actions highlighted in the report include, firstly, in response to the 2002 Prestige oil spill, Galician fishing communities worked with scientists and authorities to create the “Os Minarzos” marine reserve. Despite challenges, the area now boasts sustainable fishing practices, increased species diversity, and higher incomes. The model has inspired global guidelines and impacted millions of fishers across Europe, North America, and South America.
The second is Ant Forest, China’s largest private tree-planting project, which uses a mobile app to reward eco-friendly behaviour. Users earn green energy points for activities like walking instead of driving, which translate into virtual trees matched by real ones. Since its 2016 launch, the initiative has planted 548 million trees across 13 provinces, providing jobs in eco-agriculture and addressing environmental degradation.
The third change involves the Nashulai Maasai Conservancy in Kenya, which integrates traditional knowledge with modern conservation. The project addresses species loss, climate change, and local incomes through community-managed protected areas, river cleaning, and tree planting. The conservancy has restored biodiversity and created spaces where humans and wildlife coexist.
The report acknowledges that implementing these changes will be challenging but insists they are achievable. It highlights the critical role of community-driven initiatives in reversing biodiversity decline and building a sustainable future.
