Africa is the most susceptible continent to climate change. The continent is warming faster that the global average temperature. Africa is also the least able and able to afford the cost to implement policies and practices that together make up what is called adaptation. Climate Change. We will end up in our own destruction if we don’t adopt a new approach immediately. We must all agree that climate change is most threatening to African biodiversity habitats, livelihoods, and livelihoods.
Climate change is increasing the biodiversity crisis. But, African habitats also face threats of loss and degradation if not managed according to current scientific knowledge. Water suppliesFood and safety are at risk InsecurityWhen biodiversity is lost, biodiversity grows. If fishing areas, forests, or grasslands are polluted and overexploited, then life expectancy is at risk. Large companies that take over indigenous residents.
These destructive activities reduce the ability of nature provide food and economic livelihoods. Just as a healthy person is more likely to survive major surgery, so is a healthy ecosystem. We must do our best to protect and enhance the resilience of natural systems in order to ensure that they continue to provide food and economic benefits for the entire continent.
Nigeria’s commitment to conservation goals
Many African countries are prepared to decarbonise, to protect their fragile ecosystems and to restore their lost habitats. If the natural world is to survive, science clearly shows that protecting areas must be prioritized. Without increasing protected and conserved area to at least 30% of world’s surface by 2030 national priorities such as climate mitigation and sustainable land and water management and human security will be in jeopardy. This is why we must act quickly.
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To achieve these goals, some highly ambitious countries like Nigeria have joined international coalitions. Nigeria is a member the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a global initiative that advocates for the designation of at minimum 30% of the Earth’s land and seas as protected areas. Nigeria is also a member the Blue Leaders, a group of ambitious countries that are committed to protecting at minimum 30% of the world’s natural resources. global oceanThrough a global network to protect marine areas that are highly protected and fully protected by 2030, as well as a strong new global treaty to safeguard the oceans.
Nigeria calls on all members of the Conference of the Parties, ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity. African UnionJoin the Blue Leaders and the HAC. We cannot solve the biodiversity crisis if we don’t unite behind protecting at least 30% of the planet before 2030. These initiatives are important, but they are not cheap. We must also match our ambitions for nature with our wallets.
Invest in nature
Experts agree that in order to combat biodiversity loss, we must increase our investment into nature protection by $500bn to $900bn annually. The bulk of this should be directed from developed countries to biodiversity-rich countries of middle and lower income countries. The best investments in nature produce the most positive results when priorities can be set from the ground up with countries guiding donors and partners to prioritize their investments.
Africa’s countries are keen to form funding partnerships to increase the impact of expanding protected areas. We are aware of the priority needs for sustainable investments throughout the subregion. Nigeria will host an African Nature Finance Forum in 2022. It will discuss the development of funding partnerships as well as the opportunities for philanthropists, development partners, and other stakeholders to invest in Africa’s natural recovery.
We have the technical knowledge and the indigenous knowledge to save Africa’s natural resources. We have the potential to lead a global coordinated effort and have the biodiversity necessary to re-establish healthy habitats. We do not have a consensus among African countries that we must do it ourselves and that wealthy nations must finance our efforts. They will also benefit.
