Welcome to the Landscape News bi-weekly digest on landscapes, climate and sustainability. From what’s on your shelves to what’s in the atmosphere, here’s the news to know.
Almost 5,000 participants tuned in from 120 countries for GLF Biodiversity 2020, the Global Landscapes Forum’s second virtual conference of the year.
From nature-based solutions to engaging the private sector, the two-day event explored pathways towards a One Health approach to curb biodiversity loss and prevent future pandemics. Here’s what the 261 speakers had to say, including insights from renowned ecologist Shahid Naeem and Brazilian biologist Melina Sakiyama.
And as we learned in a recent GLF Live with climate finance expert Paul Chahine, green bonds have a crucial role to play in raising funds for biodiversity and land restoration.
We also dive deep into the microscopic world of bacteria and viruses – or, should that hit too close to home, into the cloud forests of Mexico and the Chaparrí Ecological Reserve of Peru with Landscape Hero Javier Ruiz Gutiérrez.
Humanity faces a “perfect storm” of rising chronic illnesses, inequality and public health failures that are fueling deaths from COVID-19, finds a study published in The Lancet.
The pandemic has also hindered scientific research missions to Antarctica, while weather forecasting has also taken a hit from the sharp decline in air traffic.
Vietnam and the Philippines are bearing the brunt of this year’s typhoon season: severe floods and landslides left over 100 dead and millions affected in central Vietnam. Typhoon Goni, the strongest typhoon of the year so far, then left at least 20 dead in the Philippines.
Scientists are concerned that Arctic sea ice in Siberia has yet to start freezing (here’s a quick explainer). Meanwhile, the climate crisis is threatening kimchi production in South Korea.
On the flip side, global carbon emissions from energy production likely peaked in 2019, according to a new report from BloombergNEF. Unfortunately, that same report puts us on course for 3.3 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100.
Air pollution is killing nearly half a million babies a year globally, with the vast majority of these deaths concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Babies could also be ingesting millions of microplastic particles a day from bottles.
On Canada’s Atlantic coast, Indigenous Mi’kmaq fishers have been the target of violence and intimidation from the lobster industry, while fires are imperiling several uncontacted Indigenous groups in the Amazon.
And rest in power to South African anti-mining activist Fikile Ntshangase, who was shot dead in her home on 22 October.
It turns out vampire bats are experts at social distancing – perhaps we should have learned to keep our distance.
And more broadly, regulating the wildlife trade and restoring ecosystems are some of the most effective ways to prevent future pandemics.
Meanwhile, scientists have raised the issue of artificial light, which is growing at about 2 percent per year and could be as harmful to animals as other forms of pollution.
Now for some good news: a chameleon species last spotted a century ago has been rediscovered in Madagascar, and about 100 pilot whales have been rescued from a beach in Sri Lanka following the country’s largest ever mass stranding.
As we await the results of the U.S. presidential election, here’s what the outcome could mean for the climate and biodiversity, plus how the two candidates compare on these issues (hint: here are 75 ways the Trump administration has weakened environmental regulations).
Which party takes control of the Senate could be crucial, too, as could the recent appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Regardless, the U.S. has formally exited the Paris Agreement (though it could rejoin under Biden) and will no longer offer federal protection to gray wolves.
South Australia has become the world’s first major jurisdiction to be entirely powered by solar energy. Japan and South Korea have both pledged carbon neutrality by 2050, while China plans to launch an emissions trading scheme by 2025.
Could the climate crisis threaten your retirement fund? An Australian pension fund has conceded that it might, settling a landmark lawsuit from a 25-year-old member.
That hasn’t stopped ExxonMobil from continuing to spread climate denial through academia, or Shell from gaslighting the public with Twitter polls.
But the end is nigh for fossil fuels, as electric cars could be as cheap to build as gas-powered cars by 2024, while zero-emissions hydrogen ships could set sail by 2030.
Not to mention, you could soon be walking on sidewalks lined with solar panels if this Hungarian tech firm gets its way.
Finally…
…thank you for reading this story. Our mission is to make them freely accessible to everyone, no matter where they are.
We believe that lasting and impactful change starts with changing the way people think. That’s why we amplify the diverse voices the world needs to hear – from local restoration leaders to Indigenous communities and women who lead the way.
By supporting us, not only are you supporting the world’s largest knowledge-led platform devoted to sustainable and inclusive landscapes, but you’re also becoming a vital part of a global movement that’s working tirelessly to create a healthier world for us all.
Every donation counts – no matter the amount. Thank you for being a part of our mission.
