• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Geographical

Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

  • Home
  • Briefing
  • Science & Environment
  • Climate
    • Climatewatch
  • Wildlife
  • Culture
  • Geopolitics
    • Geopolitical hotspots
  • Study Geography
    • University directory
    • Masters courses
    • Course guides
      • Climate change
      • Environmental science
      • Human geography
      • Physical geography
    • University pages
      • University of Aberdeen
      • Aberystwyth University
      • Cardiff University
      • University of Chester
      • Edge Hill University
      • The University of Edinburgh
      • Oxford Brookes University
      • Queen Mary University of London
    • Geography careers
      • Charity/non-profit
      • Education & research
      • Environment
      • Finance & consulting
      • Government and Local Government
    • Applications and advice
  • Quizzes
  • Magazine
    • Issue previews
    • Subscribe
    • Manage My Subscription
    • Special Editions
    • Podcasts
    • Geographical Archive
    • Book reviews
    • Crosswords
    • Advertise with us
  • Subscribe

Loss of biodiversity and climate change go hand in hand

1 December 2022
2 minutes

A microscoping close up of a group of plankton
Plankton is an important part of the web of life and biodiversity. Image: Shutterstock

Action on climate change and dealing with the loss of biodiversity are inextricably intertwined, says Marco Magrini


Climatewatch

It’s the variety of life on Earth that makes the world go around. From bacteria to whales, from phytoplankton to sequoias, the amazing web of life encompassing the planet generates the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and a heck of a lot of other things. 

However, the menaces hanging over this treasure chest of biodiversity are frightening to say the least.

The UN Biodiversity Conference, COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, to be held in Montreal from 7 to 19 December, will try to patch things up. The summit’s seat is somewhat auspicious. In 1987, in that very place, the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer was signed – probably the most successful international agreement ever ratified. Yet, it’s ominous at the same time. The conference, originally scheduled to be held in Kunming, China, then postponed four times, will open in Montreal (home of the UN Biodiversity Secretariat) but under a Chinese presidency. Unfortunately, at this time in history, Canada and China are all but friends.

The biodiversity convention was conceived in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio, along with the climate change convention (which held COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in November). Reversing the climate crisis and reversing the loss of nature should be part of the same effort, as you can’t solve one without solving the other. 

MORE CLIMATEWATCH COLUMNS FROM MARCO…

Glowing clouds below sun during sunrise
Climate Change

A fading shine: why earth’s dimming glow spells climate trouble

Victoria HeathMay 5, 2025
Concept art of greenwashing over an industrial site
Briefing

Greenwashing gives way to green-fading

Logan GourlayMar 28, 2025
World Map of Grain on Plate
Climate Change

Food for thought in a warming climate

Victoria HeathFeb 6, 2025
Is COP29 at a dead end?
BriefingClimate Change

Is COP29 at a dead end?

Marco MagriniNov 11, 2024
Wildfire clouds over a farm house in the Yosemite Valley, California
Climate Change

The new abnormal: adapting to climate change

Marco MagriniAug 28, 2024
What happens to the climate crisis if Trump wins in November?
BriefingClimate Change

What happens to the climate crisis if Trump wins in November?

Logan GourlayJul 25, 2024

According to WWF’s Living Planet Index, there has been a 69 per cent decline in animal species populations since 1970. More than 70 per cent of the world’s crops depend on pollinators, which are victims of the same decline. Even if we were to halt the immoderate use of fertilisers and pesticides across the globe, or to stop every environmental crime, unbridled warming would still condemn many species to falling over the edge of extinction. Even if fossil fuel emissions were to be halted today, other factors, such as deforestation and plastic pollution, would still be taking a heavy toll on nature.

This month’s Montreal summit has a long list of noble, worthy goals, such as bringing in protection for at least 30 per cent of land and, crucially, oceans by 2030, and halting species extinctions caused by humans. Its outcome, however, depends entirely on the vagaries of diplomacy. Xi Jinping hasn’t invited any country’s leader to the conference, as would be customary. And in the current geopolitical scenario, the summit could easily end up lacking the required momentum.

As if Mother Nature isn’t screaming for help enough!

Filed Under: Climate Change Tagged With: Climate, Climatewatch, November 22, Opinion

Protected by Copyscape

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Geographical Magazine from just £4.99

Geographical subscriptions

Sign up to our newsletter and get the best of Geographical direct to your inbox

Popular Now

UK against trawling in protected seas in wake of Attenborough film

UK against trawling in protected seas in wake of Attenborough film

New global map tracks the movements of 100+ marine migratory species

New global map tracks the movements of 100+ marine migratory species

Abuse allegations rock Prince Harry-linked African Parks charity

Abuse allegations rock Prince Harry-linked African Parks charity

QUIZ: Name The Island!

QUIZ: Name The Island!

Death valley wandering rocks

Phenomena: Death Valley’s wandering rocks

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Geographical print magazine cover

Published in the UK since 1935, Geographical is the official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Informative, authoritative and educational, this site’s content covers a wide range of subject areas, including geography, culture, wildlife and exploration, illustrated with superb photography.

Click Here for SUBSCRIPTION details

Want to access Geographical on your tablet or smartphone? Press the Apple, Android or PC/Mac image below to download the app for your device

Footer Apple Footer Android Footer Mac-PC

More from Geographical

  • Subscriptions
  • Get our Newsletter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 · Site by Syon Media