Scientists Says Nexus Approach Could Save the Planet—Here’s How

Climate Change By Javed Baloch - Source: Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Dated 21/12/2024

[{"selector":"#anim-f7fb134c-b0b4-4c07-90b3-3889c9d3e185 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(14.110084923857457%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95116815-6f34-4471-885d-4f90b7804c7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c09b835c-5602-4f5b-a594-4c056447e5ca","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A new UN report highlights the need to address global crises together instead of tackling them in isolation. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-9dbe9597-8c14-4a11-a7df-ca85d59d4bb6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-6.388888912149412%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1bfadbd9-c06a-4809-85ef-db796322c2d0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-baab3ee7-3eb8-48e6-b7a1-b1935aa769b5","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Released by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services ( IPBES ), the report focuses on connections between climate change, biodiversity, food, water, and health. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-df2a8082-68d8-4705-9140-15b4d0a475b5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-62.64062477330475%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94271bd9-c063-45db-9d8e-f06b85f6f827","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-09d999c1-47ab-4847-a59f-8bb254302397","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The new UN program includes a nexus assessment on links between biodiversity, water, food, and health. It studies how these connect to sustainable goals like food security, health, biodiversity protection, and combating climate change. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-0d69b44c-cacc-4351-8bcd-a419fd182523 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ca88f30-9e2c-46c7-935f-6a0daeaeb6f3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c338776-2950-4d45-913b-24c5672bfb2b","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] “We have to move decisions and actions beyond single-issue silos,” said Paula Harrison, co-chair of the report. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-a10f659d-a860-4011-9fb0-5ce1a4232c0f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-49257204-0915-4391-b53f-6b0decb1845f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bda7b83b-dbbe-4a13-a3cb-0bd18e43456a","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The approach, called a "nature-oriented nexus," promotes sustainable practices, green technologies, and strong environmental regulations. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-ba0658a7-49ca-41a2-8539-310436874438 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(41.324869677963505%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46c3d9d4-5ec1-494d-9842-5b99182d3d40","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9f0c8f13-d38f-4210-ad34-12c3946ceeb3","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Pete Smith, a professor of soils and global change at the University of Aberdeen UK, told Grist about this risk. “When you just focus on climate change, you might end up with some solutions that damage other elements of the nexus.” Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-8c7b9732-4e08-49c0-877f-2b579190ea3f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.5000000273058305%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93a521a7-69b2-41ea-848c-506057614e0e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ea56e1f-f4e4-4a6e-9ff3-7689e23a100b","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Biodiversity is central to life on Earth, the report says. Rapid biodiversity loss worsens other crises, such as freshwater scarcity and carbon storage. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-8326e4a2-996e-44aa-9ca4-2446d79f1661 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.320312386652375%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c30d1602-71b9-474b-a625-6ada94a997dc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8bb7fda5-1b5c-4b74-a69c-fa7476141fa5","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The report also highlights $7 trillion in annual subsidies for harmful activities towards these five areas, compared to only $200 billion spent on improving biodiversity. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-f8a13c39-f90b-440e-8585-68d846ded5eb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53203106-c0fe-4dd0-8111-b9f8f12b0fec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-792cf3c9-6075-461d-90fe-bccef4374dfd","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] From 2001 to 2021, urbanization, war, and rising consumption harmed all five issue areas, except food availability. "Food-first" decisions often sacrifice biodiversity, climate systems and freshwater systems for short-term gains. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-e6904169-0771-49a3-bf2b-8bd94f78531c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ace4545-4b26-4321-86e0-ea505234a49d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3eafeeea-8efa-4d5c-b0fa-27bc32d8da96","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The report analyzed 186 future scenarios and found the best results came from addressing all five issues together. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-9541510c-5ba3-4724-95da-d17e775aec0e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-9.435003574655447%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2aca49cb-610f-42f8-93bc-1ede590a11ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1de6f251-05a9-4b13-b6d2-4d1e7d844130","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "nature-oriented nexus" approach: Sustainable farming practices. Strong environmental regulations. Lower consumption rates. Advancing green technologies. Credit: IPBES

[{"selector":"#anim-09376fb9-eb55-44db-af57-4db0263d49fa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-62.64062477330475%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3fbc0982-2917-4b2a-b2a8-3b95b35b6f4c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fff2890a-1626-4793-a21e-c895943b80f9","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(2deg) translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)","rotate(2deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(-2deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Key recommendations : Reducing plastic pollution. Conserving wetlands. Expanding sustainable farming. Providing universal health coverage. Credit: IPBES Learn more