UN High Seats Treaty: The last chance to save our oceans
Project #D – Planetary Limits #2 Biodiversity loss; #4 Ocean acidification By Jane Fiona Cumming Over 60% of the world's oceans are international waters, commonly known as ‘high seas’, this means all countries have a right to fish, ship and do research there. However, only just over 1% of waters are currently protected. Therefore, marine life living there are increasingly at risk from climate change, overfishing and shipping traffic. For example, according to research carried
Novel entities: Our burgeoning chemical problem
Project #D – Planetary Limit #9 Pollution; #2 Biodiversity loss By Jane Fiona Cumming One of our nine planetary boundaries, novel entities, relates to any synthetic chemicals designed and produced by humans (including plastics). These chemicals can have irreversible effects on biodiversity and on the physical environment. Uptake (and bioaccumulation) of chemicals can kill organisms but also cause permanent genetic damage. For example, reduced fertility has led to severe reduc
5 things to know about the connection between loss of nature and our mental health
Project #D– PLANETARY LIMIT #2 Biodiversity Loss; SOCIAL NEED #3 Health By Jane Fiona Cumming Whilst the overall importance of nature is clear, we wanted to reflect on the positive impact that nature and biodiversity can have on our wellbeing. Recent pandemic-induced lockdowns meant that people were more appreciative of their opportunity to connect with nature and realise the benefits on their daily walks. Societal problems with mental health are well documented and will like
The three surprising micro-engines at the heart of our ecosystems.
Project #D – PLANETARY LIMIT #2 Biodiversity Loss By Jane Fiona Cumming “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you'll look back and realise they were the big things” Kurt Vonnegut All life, no matter how big or small, depends on another plant or animal species for its survival. At the heart of these dependencies are a small number of building blocks upon which all life is reliant. Yet our human-centric approach to the world is increasingly clogging up and reversing
Why ‘indicator’ species matter
Project #D – PLANETARY LIMITS: Climate change, Biodiversity Loss By Alex Gow-Smith and Jane Fiona Cumming Whilst most companies are now measuring their performance and setting targets relating to climate change impacts, very few are doing the same for biodiversity loss. The alarming rate of species loss is well documented, but this blog focuses on indicator species, those that serve as nature’s own early warning systems for climate change and pollution. Indicator species are
Why Net Zero is reliant on the halting and reversal of biodiversity loss – and creatures like these.
Project #D – PLANETARY LIMITS: Climate change, Biodiversity Loss By Alex Gow-Smith, Tabitha Taylor, and Jane Fiona Cumming “Key natural ecosystems are heading towards irreversible tipping points with dangerous consequences for the stability of our planet. This is why we need to set our global compass to halt and reverse nature loss to safeguard human and planetary health. A global goal for nature aiming at achieving a net positive outcome by 2030 is crucial to secure a nature
ONLY 19% OF CORPORATE SOCIAL TARGETS ARE AT SCALE TO MEET THE WORLD’S NEEDS.
Project #D - SOCIAL THRESHOLDS By Sophia Matthews and Jane Fiona Cumming When we think of sustainability, many of us immediately, and perhaps exclusively, think of greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental aspects of sustainability encompass far more than this – biodiversity, deforestation, and ocean acidification are all useful and important indicators, to name a few. Beyond environmental indicators, sustainability also includes social factors such as poverty, gender equit
