Biodiversity: a richness to be preserved for the health of the planet, the climate and the economy

Today biodiversity is at the center of targeted actions at international level, but why is it so important?

Biodiversity represents the variety of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms that, in relation to each other, create a fundamental balance for our Planet. Biodiversity in fact guarantees food, clean water, safe shelters and resources that are essential for our survival. It is crucial for the environment and for the fight against climate change.

For all of these reasons, international governments have recognized the fundamental role of biodiversity and are committing themselves to policies for its restoration and protection. So the EU Commission, together with the ‘Farm to Fork’ plan, that is focused on organic farming and the reduction of pesticides, has presented the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030. This plan is part of the Green Deal and aims to make the EU economy sustainable and climate neutral by 2050.

But that’s not all, analyzing the issue it emerges that biodiversity is also essential for economy. There are in fact sectors closely related to the preservation of soil and biodiversity, such as: fishing agriculture, food and beverage industry, but also the construction field. If we think about some areas of the world where agriculture is the only source of livelihood, then preserving or restoring biodiversity means restoring jobs.

Which are the targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030?

Among the targets to be achieved by all member states collectively we find the transformation of 10% of agricultural land into areas of high biodiversity and the achievement of at least 30% of European rural and marine protected areas.

Brussels intends to regenerate degraded ecosystems, thanks to some important measures included in a new legal framework for the restoration of the natural environment. Among the actions planned there are: the improvement of the conservation status of at least 30% of habitats, the re-naturalization of 25 thousands km of rivers and the planting of 3 billion trees by 2030.

The protection of fauna, especially birds and insects present on agricultural land represents another type of intervention. Particular attention is given to pollinators, responsible for 75% of the food variety in the world. Some consequent actions are the reduction of 50% of chemical pesticides and related risks but also the increase of at least 20% of agricultural land devoted to organic farming. The issue of maintaining soil fertility is fundamental, because it is a non-renewable resource.

Given the current health emergency, we are now aware that our survival is closely linked to the presence of biodiversity on Planet Earth. We must therefore understand that not safeguarding biodiversity means breaking the natural balance and undermining global food security.