Human wellbeing depends on the capacity of the earth’s natural systems to provide ecosystem goods and services. We rely on ecosystem services1 to provide the basics of life - food, water, shelter, clothing and clean air – and to regulate our climate, to pollinate our crops and to inspire our societies and cultures. Yet, at the same time, the biological diversity that delivers these services is being lost.
The recently released Millennium Ecosystem Assessment chillingly concludes that, unless we take action to mitigate the decline in ecosystem services, the costs to society will be substantial. The necessary actions are feasible, provided they are backed up by political will and targeted financing. IUCN contends that investments in biodiversity conservation will help maintain the flow of ecosystem services and, in turn, will yield both immediate and long-term dividends to human wellbeing.
While environmental conservation alone will not achieve the internationally-agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations insurance industry of environmental concerns in risk assessments and liability Millennium Declaration, it can and does make a major policies. contribution. Over the past decades, we have learnt a great deal about the linkages between biodiversity, ecosystem services and human wellbeing. We have sufficient examples to show that the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity can contribute to poverty reduction, human health, equity and security. Conversely, we have clear evidence that environmental mismanagement undermines livelihoods, human security and sustainable development.
To deliver internationally-agreed development goals, we need to address three key challenges: improving governance of natural resources, increasing investment in sustainable management of those resources, and employing relevant technologies, specifically landscape-scale management. Approaches to these challenges will need to include both strengthened partnerships and a new culture of knowledge mobilisation.
For each of these challenges, IUCN proposes actions for implementation. In addition, IUCN proposes some ‘First Steps’ that should be initiated now if we are to secure our future. Paramount among those first steps is making use of the many tools and efforts that are already in place. Over the past decades, significant effort has already been put toward planning and prioritisation that link human development, ecosystem services and the sustainable concerns into business planning and operations use and conservation of biodiversity. Rapid progress can be made by reviewing existing commitments in national-level strategy documents and focusing development assistance and private sector support on these opportunities.
