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- Scientists have proposed a time-bound, science-based policy, titled “A Global Deal for Nature (GDN)”, to save the diversity and abundance of life on Earth. The study has been published in the journal Science Advances.
- The policy’s mission is to save the diversity and abundance of life on Earth—for the price tag of $100 billion a year.
- The first major goal of GDN is to protect biodiversity by conserving at least 30% of the Earth’s surface under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity by 2030. However, as much more of Earth’s natural ecosystems need to be preserved or restored in order to avert impacts of global warming, GDN calls to protect another 20% of the Earth as Climate Stabilization Areas (CSAs).
- Secondly, GDN aims to mitigate climate change by conserving the Earth’s natural carbon storehouses.
- Thirdly, it seeks to reduce major threats such as meeting 2050 world food demand by directing cropland expansion to degraded lands and reducing food waste; or reduce use of plastics or ecologically damaging toxins etc.
- Conservation scientists, environmental NGOs have urged governments to adopt the GDN as a companion commitment alongside the Paris Climate Agreement. The Paris agreement (2015), an international agreement seeks to combat climate change and accelerate the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future.
- The GDN campaign is being driven by One Earth, an initiative of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The foundation seeks to organize support from international institutions, governments, and citizens globally to support ambitious conservation goals. One Earth has launched an online petition drive to build popular support for GDN.
