Happy International Year of Biodiversity!
Get the scientific facts on current biodiversity loss
Brussels, 18 January 2010.
The United Nations declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, inviting the world to take action to safeguard the variety of life on Earth.
What is the current pace of biodiversity loss? Has progress been made? How is biodiversity linked to agriculture and climate change? These and many more questions are answered by GreenFacts’ clear and faithful summaries of International Scientific Assessments (CBD Global Outlook, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, IPCC, IAASTD etc.). These reader-friendly summaries are available on www.greenfacts.org in English, Spanish, French, Dutch and German.
This is a crucial year as the 2010 Biodiversity Target expires and world governments will take stock of the progress made for biodiversity conservation. Later this year a new target will be adopted to continue fostering action for biodiversity.
Events around the world – including the UNESCO Biodiversity Science-Policy Conference in Paris (25-29 January 2010) – will contribute by raising awareness and catalyzing action.
About GreenFacts
GreenFacts was created in 2001 by individuals from scientific institutions, environment and health organisations, and businesses, who called for wider access to unbiased information on environment and health topics.
The association, operationally managed by Cogeneris sprl, offers a unique and powerful resource at a time when science is critical to our understanding of issues of health and the environment. The content of all the summaries published on the site is under the strict control of a Scientific Board exclusively composed of members of various academic institutions worldwide. For further details visit www.greenfacts.org
The GreenFacts Publications in relation with Biodiversity
Biodiversity A Global Outlook (CBD, 2006)
 In 2002, the Convention on Biological Diversity set the target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 and established a number of biodiversity indicators to assess progress towards meeting that target. Can this target be reached? What actions are needed? More...
Summary available in [en] [es] [fr] [nl]
Biodiversity & Human Well-being (MA, 2005)
 Biodiversity contributes to many aspects of human well-being, for instance by providing raw materials and contributing to health. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment shows that human actions often lead to irreversible losses in terms of diversity of life on Earth. What factors are responsible for this rapid loss? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr] [nl]
Forests & Energy (FAO, 2008)
 In coming years, the world’s energy consumption is expected to increase dramatically. While fossil fuels will remain an important source of energy, renewable energies will also gain importance. Could biofuels derived from forests help meet the energy demand? More...
Summary available in [de] [en] [es] [fr] [nl]
Genetically Modified Crops (FAO, 2004)
 We are regularly confronted with genetically modified foods, be it in the news or on our plates. In what way are GM crops different from conventional crops? What is known about the possible risks for human health or the environment? More...
Summary available in [en] [es] [fr]
Desertification (MA, 2005)
 Desertification, the persistent degradation of drylands, threatens many livelihoods. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) produced in 2005 by a large international panel of scientists explored possible options to avoid or reverse desertification and its negative impacts. More...
Summary available in [en] [es] [fr]
Water Resources (UN-Water WWAP, 2006)
 Water is essential for human survival and well-being and important to many sectors of the economy. Yet, resources are unevenly distributed and they are under pressure due to human activity. How can water resources be managed sustainably while meeting an ever increasing demand? More...
Summary available in [en] [es] [fr] [nl]
Agriculture & Development (IIASTD, 2008)
 Humans depend heavily on ecosystem for benefits such as food, but we also have a tremendous impact on them.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) produced in 2005 by a large international panel o f scientists explored possible options to avoid or reverse desertification and its negative impacts. More...
Summary available in [en] [es] [fr]
Ecosystem Change (MA, 2005)
 Humans depend heavily on ecosystem for benefits such as food, but we also have a tremendous impact on them.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) produced in 2005 by a large international panel o f scientists explored possible options to avoid or reverse desertification and its negative impacts. More...
Summary available in [en] [es] [fr]
Climate Change 2007 Update (IPCC, 2007)
 In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reassessed the state of knowledge in its 4th assessment report (4AR). Clearly, the Earth’s warming is already having measurable consequences and future impacts are expected to be wide-ranging and costly. How can we adapt to those changes? Is it possible to limit the extent of climate change and its impacts through mitigation efforts? More...
Summary available in [en] [es] [fr] [nl]
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For further details visit www.greenfacts.org or contact
Stephanie Mantell
press(at)greenfacts(dot)org
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