Ambio最新文献

Science shows decline in biodiversity, economics shows its value, but conservation failures are political. CBD COP15 in Oct 2022 promised US$700B p.a. in new conservation funding, via the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework. As of 02 Nov 2024, post CBD COP16, all new plus existing funds total only 3.5% of the international target, and 3–6% of the domestic target. The multilateral funding institutions exist, but the developed, newly-industrialised, and developing economic blocs have conflicting interpretations of KMGBF. To overcome this impasse, conservation scientists, NGOs, and parks agencies could combine conservation projects into multi-billion-dollar regional investment bundles, to be managed by reliable conservation NGOs, and package them for the World Bank Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, GBFF. If donor nations can see what they paying for and how it will be delivered, they are more likely to contribute, especially if projects include tourism and health components to provide ongoing conservation funding.

Border militarization can impede people’s interactions with nature in borderlands. We surveyed one border community to understand how local use of Białowieża Forest, one of Europe’s last primary forest complexes, is affected by militarization. Out of 100 returned surveys, most respondents had a negative view of enforced border security measures (closure of the border zone, construction of a border barrier, military activities). Many felt they were not adequately consulted about these policies. Respondents felt discouraged from visiting Białowieża Forest mainly due to the presence of uniformed services and worsened conditions of forest roads caused by heavy machinery and traffic. Newcomers reported negative impacts on their health and well-being, while people born in the region (locals) had mixed reactions. Although locals were more equivocal in opposing the border barrier than newcomers, both groups perceived the environmental costs of its construction as high and reported a sense of separation from neighboring Belarus.

The emergence of nature-based solutions (NbS) in science, policy, and practice signals a paradigmatic shift in urban climate change adaptation, yet empirical investigations into its impact on adaptation definitions and progress tracking remain scarce. Addressing this gap, we conducted thematic analysis on semi-structured interviews (n = 15) with practitioners responsible for implementing and evaluating urban NbS in different countries. We provide a nuanced understanding of urban adaptation goals within urban NbS according to the insights from these practitioners, extending beyond hazard mitigation and towards cultivating and strengthening relationships between humans and nature. Tracking adaptation progress towards such relational adaptation goals requires acknowledging knowledge pluralism and the diversity of human–nature relations. We propose an alternative definition of adaptation supported by our data that aims to foster a more holistic approach to urban climate adaptation that accounts for the potential benefits of urban NbS across interconnected climate, biodiversity, and social goals.

The separation between people and nature is a key driver of environmental decline. Despite increased interest in nature connectedness, we know little about nature disconnection or the degree of connectedness required for pro-environmental choices. Using a large probability sample of Australians (N = 1101), we explore differences in the characteristics, attitudes, and priorities among those with low, moderate, and high nature connectedness levels. Compared to those more connected, individuals with low connectedness were younger, more urban, and less educated. They spent less time in nature, enjoyed nature less, were less impacted by environmental problems, and rated climate change as less severe, suggesting insulation or detachment from the natural environment. Even a moderate level of connectedness was linked to a significant uplift in pro-environmental attitudes, behaviours, and priorities (e.g. environmental vs. economic issues). Our work contributes towards a comprehensive understanding of nature (dis)connection, with practical implications for interventions targeting a more sustainable future.

Worldwide many crop varieties are considered seriously threatened while management strategies are still lacking. Goals and indicators relevant to the conservation of agrobiodiversity also remain to be developed. Here we present the results of three expert workshops in Peru designed to prioritise for conservation crops with high infra-specific diversity, along with the establishment of in-situ on-farm conservation goals and indicators. Analysing the results of a series of agrobiodiversity-related Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) interventions realised between 2010 and 2021, “gaps” between current conservation status and the conservation goals are established. The identification of such gaps within the Peruvian regulatory framework is indispensable for justifying long-term government funding. Furthermore, the goal and indicator development processes initiated in Peru could also form a template for other countries, with a view to supporting the implementation of a range of international treaties, conventions and development goals.