Biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration have been a long-standing concern and challenge for communities and states worldwide. How we perceive the significance and value of species, ecosystems, and habitats is quite varied and largely fragmented. Similarly, lack of shared understanding of nature and natures contribution to people (manifested through ecosystem benefits and services) can affect all measures of ( including the Sustainable Development Goals) human development, well-being and good quality of life for all people.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) flagship work- the Global Assessment [summary for policymakers of the assessment launched during IPBES-7 plenary, Paris 29 April- 4 May 2019] provided ‘warning notes’ and also, ' message of hope' that as humanity, we can still tackle the challenges and better understand the ‘value of nature' in order to achieve goals and targets of sustianble development.

As a global community we are witnessing a watershed moment as matters related to– nature, species, biodiversity, ecosystems, habitats- is getting global stage and global audience through efforts steered by IPBES.

Key highlight: humans have direct or indirect play in threat of extinction faced by nearly 1 million animal and plant species and increasing rate of species extinctions observed in recent times.

Points of significance: how 75% of the land surface area is ‘significantly modified,’ and related species and biodiversity are declining at a fast rate ; and, > 80% decline in wild mammal’s biomass compared to prehistoric era. [Detailed account :Nature’s Dangerous Decline ‘Unprecedented’; Species Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating’]

The global synthesis stimulates need for joint thinking and collective agenda for citizens, communities and states, to reinstate the ‘ value of nature’ in economics, development and well- being planning and policies, at all scales and levels, in all geographies, socio-ecological (terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine, food production zones etc.) and socio-cultural (including indigenous and local knowledge) settings.

‘ Nature’s loss is our loss.’

The endorsement of UN agencies, head of states and international experts reiterates collaborative action and coordinated geopolitical agenda/policies/ commitments/actions towards desired change for protecting species and ecosystems. The vision of 'healthy nature and healthy people' ( & ...sustainable use, valuing how the environment/nature contributes to our existence …) is clearly expressed in the main message list of the Global Assessment. This crucial global-scale exercise by IPBES is a milestone in creating global awareness and up-to-date information and knowledge – to put a spotlight on the biodiversity and ecosystems related matters. The exercise put extensive focus on scientific evidence ( > 15,000 reports/papers and documents) and collaborative (hundreds of experts from around the globe participating in this exercise) approach.

We are far from any doubt that ‘ focused, and coordinated interventions are needed to address the complex inter linkages between nature and nature's contribution to people.’

Current efforts are either not enough or not enforced effectively.

The CNN coverage of the report is simple and stimulating – “as citizens of the same planet- we hear, we care, and we understand, now we need to act”- and cooperate- to succeed towards making the transformative changes we know are necessary.

Nidhi Nagabhatla [Task force expert on knowledge and data and lead author of the Global Assessment, IPBES]

Related Resources:

Media Release https://www.ipbes.net/news/Media-Release-Global-Assessment

Webcasts (French and English): https://www.ipbes.net/webcast-0

Media Highlights

The French President- Emmanuel Macron

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/macron-announces-measures-protect-biodiversity-000513306.html?guccounter=1

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Sc5uXEPLc

CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/06/world/un-biodiversity-report-end-of-nature-sutter-scn/index.html

BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-48142018/what-does-a-biodiversity-emergency-mean-for-humans