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Restoring Global Biodiversity

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Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is the foundation of healthy ecosystems that sustain our planet. It is essential for our survival. Yet, global biodiversity is rapidly declining, threatening the delicate balance of nature.  

In 2022, world leaders committed to a historic plan to protect and restore global biodiversity, including 23 ambitious targets for 2030. Decisions made in the next five years will shape our planet’s future.    

This collection on Open Planet features powerful visuals to support new storytelling about our world’s changing biodiversity, documenting the cause of its decline and showcasing inspired solutions for its recovery.  

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Restoring Global Biodiversity

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Explore and use our biodiversity collection on Open Planet to tell stories that can inspire urgent action to restore nature and build a more sustainable future for our planet.

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Why is biodiversity important?

The overall health and stability of our planet relies on a diversity of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms such as bacteria. This variety of species and ecosystems working together provides us with everything we need to survive – from food to fresh water, energy, shelter and medicine. 

Biodiversity also underpins our global economy and plays a critical role in the fight against climate change. Over half of global GDP is dependent on nature, while our land and ocean absorb more than half of all carbon emissions. 

“The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it.”

— Sir David Attenborough

Global biodiversity under threat

Across the world, biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, largely driven by human activities, which have already altered more than 70% of our land and two-thirds of our ocean.

These activities are affecting the natural processes and ecosystems we rely on, primarily through habitat loss and degradation, pollution, and the overexploitation of natural resources, as well as climate change fuelled by greenhouse gas emissions.   

Food production is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. Land cleared for agricultural use has caused mass deforestation and habitat destruction, with catastrophic consequences for nature and the climate.

In this critical decade, we are faced with our greatest challenge yet: transforming how we manage our land and ocean to support and nourish a growing population while also restoring nature and stabilising our climate.

Currently, just 17.6% of the world’s land and 8.4% of its ocean are protected. 

  • Global wildlife population sizes have plummeted by 73% since 1970.
  • At least one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction.  
  • Critical ecosystems like parts of the Amazon rainforest are turning from carbon sinks to carbon sources due to widespread deforestation. 
  • Other vital carbon stores are also under threat; we’ve lost 85% of our wetlands, such as salt marshes and mangrove swamps.

Hope for nature’s recovery

Science shows that it’s not too late to turn the tide for nature. With urgent action and collaboration across all sectors, we can restore biodiversity and start to build a more sustainable, resilient planet for people and wildlife. 

Many of the solutions already exist and are being adopted by pioneering individuals and communities across the world. You can find examples of these in our library, capturing stories of those leading the way to restore our planet.

From nature-based solutions such as landscape restoration and rainwater harvesting; to regenerative farming efforts that restore land and support local communities; to game-changing solutions for managing waste and clearing plastics from our ocean.


Turning promises for nature into action

In October 2024, governments around the world will meet in Cali, Colombia for the 16th Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This is the first meeting since the adoption of the 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework, which set bold ambitions to halt and reverse biodiversity’s decline by 2030, including a target to protect 30% of our land and seas. 

While the framework is not legally binding, signatories are expected to report on their progress – and the stakes could not be higher. We must now transform commitments into actionable plans, recognising the global importance of biodiversity for our economy, food security, climate stability, and planetary health.   

Only 31 of 195 countries submitted their biodiversity plans ahead of the 2024 CBD conference

16%

“To make real change, we must reach across boundaries and borders – of geography, sectors, age and expertise. We have one planet, and we must fight for it as one, united for nature.”

— Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN

Call for change

Urgent action is needed to restore ecosystems, protect wildlife, and ensure a sustainable future for all. Storytelling can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and inspiring action on critical issues. Discover world-class visuals through our collection to start your story today.

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