As nations meet in Colombia to confront species and ecosystem loss, the onus is on the global north to put science and collaboration at the heart of the issue, says Angela McLean, the UK’s chief scientific adviser
As nations meet in Colombia to confront species and ecosystem loss, the onus is on the global north to put science and collaboration at the heart of the issueiodiversity, the incredible variety of life on Earth, is the backbone of the ecosystems that allow life on this planet to flourish.
The world’s foremost scientific authority on nature – the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – clearly stated in its lastthat conservation and sustainable use of nature can only be achieved through transformative societal change. It will require all of us to act. This can be difficult, as our lives often appear disconnected from the natural world as a result of our ever-increasing urban and online lifestyles.
Some conservation science issues are tricky to navigate, but important to tackle. For instance, the natural world contains a wealth of valuable genetic data. The scientific capability to decode and digitally archive this data – known as digital sequence information – is considered vital to biodiversity research. When a fungal disease attacked ash trees across Europe, reaching the UK in 2012, open access to DSI enabled scientists to crowdsource genetic data on ash trees that were.
These collaborative efforts highlight the importance of integrating scientific research with local expertise to protect and restore biodiversity. As countries come together in Colombia this month at the 16th meeting of the, I urge nations to ensure science is at the heart of their commitments and, to collaborate with one another and local stakeholders to protect our planet.
Angela McLean is professor of mathematical biology at the University of Oxford, and chief scientific adviser to the UK government
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cop16: Colombia prepares to host ‘decisive’ summit on biodiversityExperts say UN event will be critical for world’s declining wildlife population as host nation pushes for inclusivity
Read more »
Cop16 at a glance: the big issues that will define talks at Colombia’s UN summitDelegates from 196 countries are discussing progress in preserving biodiversity. So what are the sticking points?
Read more »
Humanity is on the verge of ‘shattering Earth’s natural limits’, say experts in biodiversity warningAs the Cop16 biodiversity conference begins, scientists and academics say human activity has pushed the world into a danger zone
Read more »
How the ‘Frida Kahlo of environmental geopolitics’ is lighting a fire under big oilColombian environment minister Susana Muhamad once worked for Shell. Now, as the country gears up to host the biodiversity Cop16, she is calling for a just transition away from fossil fuels
Read more »
Angela Rayner: ‘I get criticised for going on holiday. Am I not allowed to do that?’Deputy PM on Keir Starmer donations row, winter fuel allowance cuts and missing out on grace and favour mansion
Read more »
‘The otter came so close I could smell her fishy breath’: scribbles and sketches from Scotland’s wild islesIn an extract from her new book, Still Waters & Wild Waves, the artist and illustrator Angela Harding documents the wildlife and landscapes of the Scottish islands Fair Isle and Shetland
Read more »