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Scientists call for global taskforce to tackle biodiversity crunch
Paris (AFP) Jul 19, 2006 Leading biologists have called for the creation of a global taskforce on biodiversity, warning that the Earth faces an extinction crisis that has no parallel in human history. Like the UN's scientific panel on climate change, the biodiversity group would assess the latest research and give clear, sound advice to policymakers, according to their proposal, published on Thursday in the British weekly journal Nature. "Virtually all aspects of biodiversity are in steep decline and a large number of populations and species are likely to become extinct in the present century," says the appeal, gathering experts from 13 nations. "Despite this evidence, biodiversity is still consistently undervalued and given inadequate weight in both private and public decisions. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between science and policy to take action." The model for their proposal, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), gathers the world's paramount experts on global warming. It is due to issue its next assessment early in 2007. The scientists say that biodiversity is often sidelined in policy debate because it is such a hugely complex subject with many unknowns and researchers do not speak with a single voice. Their appeal has been given political support by French President Jacques Chirac and France is funding an 18-month consultation process on how to set up the panel and agree on its work. According to the 2004 report of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), some 12 percent of all bird species, 23 percent of mammals, 25 percent of conifers, 32 percent of amphibians and 52 percent of cycads -- an ancient tree species sometimes called a "living fossil" -- are threatened with extinction. Climate change may drive an additional 15-37 percent of species to premature extinction within the next half century. "Since biodiversity loss is essentially irreversible, it poses serious threats to sustainable development and the quality of life of future generations," say the signatories. The initiative and consultation process can be found on (www.imoseb.net). Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Dirt, rocks and all the stuff we stand on firmly
Seven injured in storms in Germany
Berlin (AFP) Jul 23, 2006 Seven people were injured overnight Saturday when a tornado hit Karlsruhe in southwestern Germany and heavy summer storms lashed the country's Bavaria region, local authorities said Sunday. |
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