Biodiversity Conservation Efforts

No contact, no conflict: Protecting South America’s invisible peoples In Brazil and across the Amazon Basin, a growing body of evidence confirms what many Indigenous communities have long known: hundreds of voluntarily isolated Indigenous groups continue to live deep in the forest, avoiding contact with the outside world. But for decades, their existence was denied or ignored by states, leaving them legally invisible and their lands open to extraction, deforestation, and exploitation. That is slowly changing. A new 302-page report—launched in April 2025 at the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues—offers a scientific framework for recognizing these groups without violating their autonomy. Antenor Vaz, a veteran expert on isolated and initially contacted peoples (PIACI) who recently spoke with Aimee Gabay, co-authored the report with input from national Indigenous organizations such as AIDESEP in Peru. It catalogs 188 records of voluntarily isolated peoples in South America—yet just 60 are officially recognized by states. Recognition matters. Without legal recognition, Indigenous peoples have no claim to territory, protections, or voice. As Vaz puts it: “They have no rights because they do not exist for the state.” Denial, he warns, is often politically motivated: once land is acknowledged as inhabited, it must be protected. That complicates plans for agribusiness, mining, and logging. The report outlines both “direct” and “indirect” methodologies for evidence-gathering—from satellite imagery and field expeditions to local Indigenous knowledge. While states tend to privilege Western scientific methods, Vaz stresses that Indigenous trackers and shamans often provide the most accurate data. Their knowledge, he argues, is holistic, drawing on spiritual and ecological cues beyond the grasp of many Western institutions. The implications go beyond Indigenous rights. Isolated peoples are entirely dependent on intact ecosystems. Their continued survival requires forests to remain undisturbed, making them natural stewards of biodiversity. “For isolated peoples,” Vaz notes, “the forest is their pharmacy, supermarket, school, and city.” Protecting their land helps protect the Amazon—and, by extension, global climate stability. The report offers 11 core principles, including the foundational rule: No contact. That principle, enshrined in Brazil’s 1988 Constitution, has become a model for others. As states weigh economic growth against Indigenous survival, Vaz says this document serves as a guide for navigating that fraught terrain—scientifically, ethically, and lawfully. Mongabay News: https://lnkd.in/gdjBE--Z

Around 200 years ago, writers vividly captured the astonishing abundance of marine life off the British coast. They recounted scenes of vast herring columns, stretching for miles and “so dense that the water itself seemed to bulge and shift as if pushed from below” (William Yarrell, 1836). The sea appeared black with their numbers, a living expanse “teeming with multitudes of fish” (Thomas Pennant, 1766), as far as the eye could see. These immense shoals of herring were trailed by schools of enormous cod, porpoise, spurdog, tope and smooth hound, along with majestic longfin and bluefin tuna. Among them swam the ocean’s formidable predators: blue, porbeagle, thresher and mako sharks, and even the occasional great white. And just beyond this astonishing spectacle, within sight of the shore, pods of fin and sperm whales breached and spouted, a reminder of “the treasures of the deep” and the sea’s great abundance and rich biodiversity (Thomas Pennant, 1766). Today, much of this incredible spectacle of life has disappeared, a result of relentless overfishing and habitat destruction. However, hope remains: marine ecosystems can recover swiftly if we give them a chance. Here’s how we can accelerate this recovery: 1. Expand & Enforce Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Increase the number and size of MPAs, ban bottom trawling within them (how is this allowed?!) and ensure strict enforcement to safeguard vital ecosystems, allowing marine life to rebound. 2. Promote Sustainable Fishing Practices: Implement and enforce sustainable fishing quotas and methods to prevent overfishing, reduce bycatch and minimise habitat destruction. 3. Restore Key Marine Habitats: Focus on restoring critical habitats like kelp forests, seagrass meadows and oyster reefs, which are essential for supporting diverse marine species (this is a focus for us at Earthly). 4. Reduce Pollution: Combat marine pollution, particularly plastic and chemical runoff, by improving waste management and reducing the use of harmful substances. 5. Address Ocean Warming/Acidification: Mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions, helping to slow ocean warming and acidification, both pose a significant threat to marine life. By taking these actions, we can revive the once-thriving marine ecosystems around the British Isles and beyond, and with hope, restore within the coming decades the breathtaking natural spectacles of abundant biodiversity that were once common sights. (Photo: Midjourney) #Biodiversity #Marine #Ecosystem

This cardboard donut is helping to grow trees in dry areas! It's called the Cocoon, and it's developed by Dutch company Land Life. So far, they've planted more than 10 million trees with the Cocoon and other innovative planting methods in severely degraded land all over the world. So how does it work? First, you dig a shallow pit and place a seedling inside it and pack it with soil to secure it in place. The Cocoon is then placed around the seedling, and it's filled to the trim with water. A lid is then added to prevent the water inside from evaporating. Soil is then packed around the cocoon, and over time, the water seeps into the soil, helping the seedling's roots grow healthy. A shelter is then added to protect the growing seedling from too much sun exposure, the wind and small animals. The cocoon is made from recycled cardboard, and is 100% biodegradable. Land Life says The Cocoon helps trees establish in arid and degraded environments with only 25 liters of water. Using x1000 less water than traditional methods. It provides survival rates up to 95% in hot and dry areas. There are 2 billion hectares of degraded land worldwide, that's a bigger area than South America. So reforestation projects like this are vital to reverse this critical situation!

A new blueprint for sustainability from the IPBES Nexus Report! The latest IPBES (they're like the IPCC for nature) nexus report is a must read for all of us working toward a sustainable future. It highlights the inextricable links between biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate—and how these interconnected systems must be tackled together, not in silos. Here are some key insights: ➡�� Biodiversity has declined 2–6% per decade across all assessed indicators for the past 30–50 years. ➡️ Over 50% of the global population lives in areas experiencing severe impacts from biodiversity loss, water scarcity, food insecurity, and climate change. ➡️ Nature-dependent sectors account for $58 trillion annually—more than 50% of global GDP—but we’re incurring up to $25 trillion annually in external costs due to unsustainable practices in fossil fuels, agriculture, and fisheries. ➡️ Meanwhile, the private sector generates $5.3 trillion annually in activities that directly harm biodiversity, and public subsidies incentivizing damage total $1.7 trillion each year. Despite the challenges, solutions exist: ✔️ Protecting 30% of the world’s land, waters, and seas by 2030 could provide broad benefits if managed effectively for both people and nature. ✔️ Urban nature-based solutions—like green spaces and wetlands—help cities tackle heat, pollution, and water quality issues while also improving health. ✔️ Indigenous Peoples and local communities offer proven models for conserving biodiversity sustainably, such as reduced deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon after securing tenure rights. The stakes are high, but so are the opportunities. By shifting investments, leveraging equitable and integrated solutions, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, we can close the $1 trillion annual financing gap for biodiversity—and bridge the broader $4 trillion gap for SDG goals. Let’s rise to the challenge and create a future where biodiversity thrives, economies prosper, and no one is left behind! I'll be doing more analysis and discussion in the coming days of the 70+ solutions laid out in the report. So watch this space! Check out the report: https://lnkd.in/dux3zajy #Sustainability #IPBES #Biodiversity #Nature #SustainableFinance #Innovation

The Wildlife Crossings That Changed Everything in Banff In the 1950s, when the Trans-Canada Highway was first laid through Banff National Park, it wasn’t built for the level of traffic it sees today. As the years went by and vehicle numbers grew, so did the number of animal-vehicle collisions. Elk, moose, bears, and other wildlife, key species in the park's ecosystem, were being killed at alarming rates. By the 1980s, the scale of the problem was undeniable. Wildlife deaths weren’t just a conservation issue, they posed serious safety risks for drivers too. Parks Canada knew that minor fixes wouldn’t cut it. A more comprehensive and innovative solution was needed. That’s when the idea of wildlife crossings came to life. Over the years, 6 overpasses and 38 underpasses were constructed along a stretch of the highway within Banff. But these weren't ordinary structures. They were designed to mimic the surrounding environment, covered with native vegetation, soil, and trees to make animals feel safe and comfortable using them. The results have been nothing short of extraordinary: More than 80% reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions overall. Over 96% reduction for elk and deer specifically. Hundreds of thousands of documented animal crossings since their installation, with species ranging from cougars and wolves to amphibians. Banff’s wildlife crossings have now become a global model for infrastructure that coexists with nature. They prove that with smart planning and ecological awareness, we can redesign systems that not only prevent harm but actively restore balance. The key takeaway? Instead of forcing nature to adapt to our systems, we can redesign systems to align with nature, safely, sustainably, and successfully. #WildlifeConservation #SustainableInfrastructure #BanffNationalPark #EcoDesign #GreenEngineering #WildlifeCrossings #NatureBasedSolutions #RoadEcology #SystemsThinking #HumanNatureCoexistence #ClimateAction #InnovativeDesign #SafetyAndSustainability #EnvironmentalLeadership

💬 "𝙲𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚌 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚜𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝟹𝟻 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚌 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚘𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎." A quote from the IPBES Nexus assessment released this week. So much to unpack, I limit myself here to the nexus between #economics, #finance and #biodiversity (the rest you can read here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e2KN5MSm) Economic activity and biodiversity are deeply interconnected. Biodiversity underpins key industries—agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and tourism—while providing critical services like pollination, water purification, and climate regulation. But the relentless pursuit of growth (the primary indirect driver) has caused biodiversity to plummet: 🌳 75% of land and 66% of marine environments have been significantly altered. 🐾 Over 1 million species face extinction, threatening ecosystems that support half of global GDP—$44 trillion annually. 💰 Adverse effects of economic activity on biodiversity amounts to $10-25 annually. This results in risks for that same economic system. Biodiversity loss undermines global economies: 💸 Could cost $10 trillion annually by 2050 if trends continue. 🌾 Declining pollinators risk $577 billion/year in crop production. 🌊 Ecosystem collapse raises costs across agriculture, fisheries, and energy, impacting industries and driving financial risk. To reverse this, we have a financial challenge: 🔴 Current conservation funding: $124–$143 billion/year. 🔴Required funding: $598–$824 billion/year, leaving a $500–$700 billion gap. 🔴Governments spend $500 billion annually on harmful subsidies—redirecting just 10% could halve this shortfall. And we have a paradox in this nexus: Investing in restoration and preservation yields high returns: 🌱 Mangrove restoration delivers 10x ROI in ecosystem services (flood protection, carbon storage). 🌿 Nature-based solutions mitigate climate risks, protect assets, and future-proof economies. 💸 Green finance tools—like biodiversity credits and green bonds—offer scalable investment opportunities. Two problems: 🟥 The risks are longer-term 🟥 The (short-term) benefits are non-financial The report outlines 71 actionable proposals focused on areas such as sustainable consumption, pollution reduction, improved governance, and risk management. These are vital steps in addressing pressing global challenges. However, real success requires us to confront a deeper truth: our current system—dominated by finance and short-term economic priorities—cannot deliver the transformative change needed. Tweaking the system won’t suffice. Superficial changes lead to superficial results. To achieve true sustainability, we must rethink and redesign the foundations of our economic and financial systems.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has released a comprehensive report highlighting the intricate connections among #biodiversity, #water, #food, #health, and #climatechange. This "Nexus Report" emphasizes that addressing these global challenges in isolation is ineffective and may exacerbate existing issues. Here are five key takeaways from the report: Interconnected Crises Amplify Economic Losses: 👉 The report estimates that neglecting the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity, and health risks results in unaccounted costs ranging from $10 trillion to $25 trillion annually, equivalent to about a quarter of global GDP.Sectors such as agriculture, energy, and fishing contribute significantly to these losses by failing to consider the broader environmental impacts of their activities. 👉 Delayed Action Increases Future Costs: Procrastination in addressing these interconnected issues leads to escalating expenses.For instance, inaction on climate change could add $500 billion annually to future costs, while postponing measures to combat biodiversity loss may double the associated costs if delayed by a decade. 👉 Misaligned Financial Incentives Perpetuate Environmental Harm: Current government subsidies, totaling approximately $1.7 trillion annually, often support environmentally detrimental practices, including fossil fuel production, overfishing, and unsustainable agriculture. These subsidies, along with $5.3 trillion in private financial flows that damage biodiversity, exacerbate the crises they aim to mitigate. 👉 Holistic Approaches Yield Significant Benefits: The report underscores the necessity of integrated policy efforts that consider the complex interconnections among biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change. Implementing holistic solutions can unlock $10 trillion in business opportunities and support 395 million jobs globally by 2030. Proven strategies, such as agroforestry and nature-friendly renewable energy schemes, demonstrate that it's possible to address multiple environmental challenges simultaneously. 👉 Addressing Inequalities is Crucial for Transformative Change: Persistent economic and political inequalities, often rooted in historical contexts like colonialism, hinder efforts to halt biodiversity loss. The report calls for transformative change that includes recognizing and addressing these inequalities to create a more equitable and sustainable future. https://lnkd.in/dyz2_-HM

Not all innovation needs steel, concrete, or walls. What do you think about this innovation? In the Netherlands (and across Europe), road authorities are testing “virtual fencing” concepts to reduce wildlife accidents — using light-based and sensor-triggered systems instead of physical barriers. The idea is simple: • Don’t trap animals • Don’t block migration paths • Guide behavior only when danger exists When a vehicle approaches, roadside systems activate light (and sometimes sound) cues that discourage deer and other wildlife from crossing at that moment, while still allowing free movement when roads are quiet. No permanent fences. No habitat fragmentation. No concrete scars across nature. Why this matters Traditional wildlife fencing works — but at a cost: • Broken ecosystems • Altered migration routes • Expensive infrastructure Virtual fencing flips the model: • Protection without confinement • Safety without separation • Infrastructure that responds, not dominates Is it literally “laser walls animals see as fences”... Not exactly. But the principle is real: Use perception, timing, and behavior — not brute force. This is what modern tech does best: ✔ Invisible when not needed ✔ Intelligent when it matters ✔ Respectful of nature by design When technology disappears into the background, coexistence becomes possible. #SmartInfrastructure via @codeintellectus #Sustainability #Mobility #WildlifeProtection #FutureOfCities #ClimateTech #DesignThinking #Innovation

Biodiversity loss kills 🌍💀: This is the story of how the near-extinction of a single bird species led to 100,000 human deaths per year in India.🇮🇳   In the 90s, the number of Indian vultures in the wild fell by over 95%. It turned out, that vultures died because of the use of the painkiller in veterinary clinics. Treating cattle with diclofenac produced carcasses that were deadly to vultures. Vultures provided an important public health service by removing livestock carcasses, which helps prevent water pollution and the spread of infectious diseases.   Two economists estimated that human death rates rose by over 4% in areas where vultures were common.   This implies an average of 104,386 additional deaths a year. 😲   💡Thus, the loss of a single bird species can be catastrophic for public health.   The story of the Indian vultures teaches us that, in an era of mass extinctions, we need more than ever policies that protect biodiversity.   Source: Eyal Frank and Anant Sudarshan, 2024, The social costs of keystone species collapse: Evidence from the decline of vultures in India., forthcoming American Economic Review.

Underground forests. This is the evocative name given to the potential that often lies dormant underground in the roots of deforested and over grazed lands that are considered degraded and worthless. Deforestation and over grazing of arid lands leads to desertification, but at the same time the tree stumps are mostly left in the ground, being timely and costly to remove. These stumps usually continue to contain life and crucially still have the mature root systems below ground. With the correct pruning and protection from grazing, the stumps can rapidly regrow into native trees with the root systems already there to support growth and lift water. Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration ( or FMNR for short) is the name for this simple highly effective and cheap way to regenerate deforested and degraded landscapes. One to several shoots of new grown are stimulated into life via pruning off of other growth, that can be used as mulch. Protection from grazing is then the only other requirement - the mature root systems taking care of the rapid regrowth. It's now estimated as much as 18.2 million hectares worldwide has been regenerated using FMNR. The restoration of the indigenous trees then allowing for agriculture and natural agroforestry to establish in areas where once there was abundance. FMNR should also ideally be the first step in all reforestation projects, the inexpensive regeneration of any existing native self reliant trees that can offer a pulse of life and then act as a support system for additional planting. 🌳 🌳 Photo shows an FMNR project from Talensi District, Ghana. #biodiversity #miyawakimethod #FMNR #regeneration #reforestation #restoration #afforestation #naturebasedsolutions #nature #ecosystem #ecosystemrestoration #diversity #forests #climate