The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) said that its mission is to protect and restore the region, one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world, and home to thousands of species of flora and fauna.
On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Intergovernmental organization of 42 member states pointed out that the occasion provides a fitting opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of Mediterranean biodiversity under the theme “We are part of the solution.”
The Mediterranean basin is a recognised biodiversity hotspot, with outstanding flora diversity of 15,000 to 25,000 species, according to a ICUN report. 60% of flora and around one third of fauna in the Mediterranean is endemic, or unique to the region. By 2100, the drop in pH could reach 0.462 and 0.457 units for the western and eastern basins of the Mediterranean, respectively. This acidification has very serious consequences on marine biodiversity, affecting many elements of the living chain.
In this sense, the UfM set up the 2030 Greener Med Agenda as a collaborative basis for joint solutions to protect ecosystems and biodiversity while accelerating the transition towards a green, circular and inclusive economy in the region, with biodiversity at the centre. It defines as one of its three key priorities the need to protect, preserve, manage and restore natural resources in the Mediterranean, and is set to be approved by Member States at the upcoming Ministerial later this year.
The IBPES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services found that human activities are responsible for 75% of ecosystem destruction, which in turn impacts climate change, economic activity, food and water security, and even human health. It has been shown that mismanaging biodiversity and ecosystems increases the risk of infectious diseases passing from wildlife to humans, thereby increasing the risk of further pandemics.
Isidro Gonzalez, Deputy Secretary General for Water, Environment and Blue Economy commented: “Current trajectories will not meet goals for conservation and sustainability. We call for transformative changes across economic, social, political and technological systems as we rebuild from the pandemic in the Euro-Mediterranean region. At the UfM, we believe that we are all part of the solution, and that only by working together can we achieve real impact on biodiversity protection and restoration.”
Source: Jordan News Agency