Mass extinction
Published Dec 27, 2022 12:05 am
UNDER THE MICRSCOPE
Dr. Raymund W. Lo
Amid the present-day uncertainties of daily living, we should be aware of a more existential threat to our existence, not just individuals, but as the human race. Our planet is hurtling toward Armageddon with the threat of climate change affecting not just the human population but all forms of life on earth.
Climate change is very real despite the deniers, who are benefitting from the pillage and destruction of the natural world. It is man-induced mainly due to greed and exploitation by the rich and powerful, who stop at nothing to grab more wealth at the expense of the rest of humanity.
As usual, the poor countries bear the brunt of the effects of climate change, even if they contribute a miniscule 1.1 percent of the carbon dioxide driving the phenomenon. This inequality mirrors the economic plight of the Third World, already suffering the lingering effects of colonialism that brought them to this situation. The rich countries of North America, Europe, and China account for the lion’s share of pollution through excessive consumption and relentless pursuit of economic gains.
Thus, it is but right that the less-developed countries demand reparations for the loss and damage brought about by global warming. This is the gist of the COP27 just held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The developed countries have to step up their share in delivering climate finance and technological support to the poor affected countries to mitigate global warming to 1.5C, which, if achieved, can reduce the impact of climate change.
Sudden climate change affects all species on earth, with the majority unable to cope with rapidly rising temperatures, melting polar ice caps, increasingly frequent forest fires, coastal flooding, and droughts. It is forecast that thousands of animal and plant species on land and sea face extinction due to global warming and pollution. We are now seeing the prospect of a massive loss of biodiversity that threatens the entire web of life on this planet, since we are all part of it.
This was the main topic of the UN Biodiversity Conference recently held in Montreal, Canada, where a consensus was reached on a commitment to protect 30 percent of the land and water considered important for biodiversity by 2030, known as “30 by 30.” This is an increase from the current 17 percent of terrestrial and 10 percent of marine areas protected.
After a contentious two weeks of negotiations, from which 70 African, Asian, and South American countries staged a walkout, it was agreed to provide $200 billion a year for biodiversity and to work on subsidies of $500 billion for nature. This is in addition to increasing to $20 billion annually by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030 for poor countries to restore natural habitats and reduce pesticide use.
It is but right for the rich countries to shoulder the costs, since the poor countries will definitely not be able to afford it on top of their myriad problems, one of which is overpopulation, which also needs to be addressed, as it aggravates the issues of poverty, land degradation, and pollution.
In addition, we should also do our share in mitigating our own effects on the planet in our own ways, big and small. Thus, 15 cities across the globe have committed to halt or reverse nature loss. These include our very own Quezon City, led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, who was active in the biodiversity conference. The 15 mayors have called on the financial community and national governments for funding and for greater collaboration with the private sector. This is very laudable. We wish Mayor Joy all the best in this endeavor. We should all join hands to ensure its success, for we, the inhabitants, will greatly benefit from its effects.
Our village is committed to increasing our green cover, which is already substantial. Our board has designated the entire village as a wildlife refuge and bird sanctuary. We rigorously screen all requests for tree cutting, limiting them to absolutely necessary areas like driveways and other areas impacting house construction. In addition, we require homeowners to replace each tree with 10 saplings of native species.
A major problem is the presence of a large number of mahogany trees in our 2.4-hectare park, which was the legacy of a senator who had earlier advocated planting of mahogany trees at the height of its popularity without regard to ecological impacts. The DENR has asked us to cut them down and replace them with native tree species, but doing so all at once will leave the park bare. So, we are slowly implementing tree replacement by growing small native trees alongside the mahogany. Once they’re grown big enough, the mahogany trees will be cut.
If all villages, big and small, were to implement their own tree-planting schemes, Mayor Joy’s plans will definitely be given a big boost. So c’mon, ladies and gentlemen, lets get planting—for our future generations and for our one and only planet!
Dr. Raymund W. Lo
Amid the present-day uncertainties of daily living, we should be aware of a more existential threat to our existence, not just individuals, but as the human race. Our planet is hurtling toward Armageddon with the threat of climate change affecting not just the human population but all forms of life on earth.
Climate change is very real despite the deniers, who are benefitting from the pillage and destruction of the natural world. It is man-induced mainly due to greed and exploitation by the rich and powerful, who stop at nothing to grab more wealth at the expense of the rest of humanity.
As usual, the poor countries bear the brunt of the effects of climate change, even if they contribute a miniscule 1.1 percent of the carbon dioxide driving the phenomenon. This inequality mirrors the economic plight of the Third World, already suffering the lingering effects of colonialism that brought them to this situation. The rich countries of North America, Europe, and China account for the lion’s share of pollution through excessive consumption and relentless pursuit of economic gains.
Thus, it is but right that the less-developed countries demand reparations for the loss and damage brought about by global warming. This is the gist of the COP27 just held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The developed countries have to step up their share in delivering climate finance and technological support to the poor affected countries to mitigate global warming to 1.5C, which, if achieved, can reduce the impact of climate change.
Sudden climate change affects all species on earth, with the majority unable to cope with rapidly rising temperatures, melting polar ice caps, increasingly frequent forest fires, coastal flooding, and droughts. It is forecast that thousands of animal and plant species on land and sea face extinction due to global warming and pollution. We are now seeing the prospect of a massive loss of biodiversity that threatens the entire web of life on this planet, since we are all part of it.
This was the main topic of the UN Biodiversity Conference recently held in Montreal, Canada, where a consensus was reached on a commitment to protect 30 percent of the land and water considered important for biodiversity by 2030, known as “30 by 30.” This is an increase from the current 17 percent of terrestrial and 10 percent of marine areas protected.
After a contentious two weeks of negotiations, from which 70 African, Asian, and South American countries staged a walkout, it was agreed to provide $200 billion a year for biodiversity and to work on subsidies of $500 billion for nature. This is in addition to increasing to $20 billion annually by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030 for poor countries to restore natural habitats and reduce pesticide use.
It is but right for the rich countries to shoulder the costs, since the poor countries will definitely not be able to afford it on top of their myriad problems, one of which is overpopulation, which also needs to be addressed, as it aggravates the issues of poverty, land degradation, and pollution.
In addition, we should also do our share in mitigating our own effects on the planet in our own ways, big and small. Thus, 15 cities across the globe have committed to halt or reverse nature loss. These include our very own Quezon City, led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, who was active in the biodiversity conference. The 15 mayors have called on the financial community and national governments for funding and for greater collaboration with the private sector. This is very laudable. We wish Mayor Joy all the best in this endeavor. We should all join hands to ensure its success, for we, the inhabitants, will greatly benefit from its effects.
Our village is committed to increasing our green cover, which is already substantial. Our board has designated the entire village as a wildlife refuge and bird sanctuary. We rigorously screen all requests for tree cutting, limiting them to absolutely necessary areas like driveways and other areas impacting house construction. In addition, we require homeowners to replace each tree with 10 saplings of native species.
A major problem is the presence of a large number of mahogany trees in our 2.4-hectare park, which was the legacy of a senator who had earlier advocated planting of mahogany trees at the height of its popularity without regard to ecological impacts. The DENR has asked us to cut them down and replace them with native tree species, but doing so all at once will leave the park bare. So, we are slowly implementing tree replacement by growing small native trees alongside the mahogany. Once they’re grown big enough, the mahogany trees will be cut.
If all villages, big and small, were to implement their own tree-planting schemes, Mayor Joy’s plans will definitely be given a big boost. So c’mon, ladies and gentlemen, lets get planting—for our future generations and for our one and only planet!