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New York, November 15 (IBNS): A new coalition of organizations, including the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), was launched Wednesday in Egypt to ring the bell. alarm about the urgent need to protect coral reefs from extinction at the United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity, we need to mobilize global leadership before it is too late.
"It is clear to anyone who immerses under the waves that the fate of coral reefs is at stake," said UNEP chief Erik Solheim. "For the moment, these outbursts of color and underwater life are facing an extremely grim future."
Coral reefs provide food and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people around the world, support more of a quarter of marine life and protect communities and coastlines from natural disasters – and if urgent measures are not taken, they could be lost forever.
Eight international organizations have joined together to advocate for decisive action to protect these natural wonders: UNEP, the International Coral Reef Initiative, the World Wide Fund for Nature , the Nature Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Vulcan Inc., the Ocean Agency, and the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
"Expectations for this coalition could not be greater. The protection of coral reefs must become a global priority. Coral reefs need a better deal, "said Solheim, who unveiled the new partnership in Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh resort. Dozens of ministers whose countries are parties to the CBD are meeting here, together with experts and representatives of civil society organizations, to launch a two-year process to adopt a global framework for the protection of human rights. biodiversity, including coral reefs. [19659003] The conference, which opened on Tuesday and runs until November 29, is a platform for policy makers from more than 190 countries to make commitments and intensify their efforts to end the loss. biodiversity and protect ecosystems that support health, nutrition and food. water security for billions of people around the world.
In addition, governments, private companies, NGOs and intergovernmental organizations; indigenous peoples and local communities; youth and civil society; should commit to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020
The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published in October 2018 warns, even though we collectively stabilize global surface temperatures At 1.5 ° C above pre-industrial levels, 70 to 90 per cent of coral reefs will disappear by the middle of this century. Persistent failure in the fight against climate change will result in even greater losses, warns the report.
However, climate change is not the only major threat facing reefs. Overfishing, pollution and coastal development have all caused significant coral losses over the past 30 years. Reducing these threats can help recover the most resistant reefs after impacts, such as bleaching episodes caused by above-average sea-water temperatures due to global warming.
"I am delighted to see that the issue of coral reefs is catching the eye. it deserves. We are now approaching 2020 and we need to put more emphasis on strategies for effective coral reef conservation and support for people who depend on it, "said Prince Albert II of Monaco. [19659010"TheGeneralAssemblyoftheInternationalCoralReefInitiativewhichIwillbehostinginMonacoinDecemberwillbeamilestoneandIhopethiswillleadtotheadoptionof39apracticaleffectiveambitiousandrealisticactionprogram"headded
Cinzia Osele Bismarck Image Bank / Coral Reef
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