Leaders | The laws of nature

Why climate change is intimately tied to biodiversity

There is a financial case for investing in biodiversity

Shoal of Mediterranean Fairy basslet (Anthias anthias) swimming between Red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) that have colonised the crossbars of a sunken electricity pylon that fell into the sea during a storm, Capri Island, Costa Amalfitana, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea.
Image: Nature Picture Library

The natural world is a source of beauty and wonder, but it also provides humans with essential services. Jungles, savannahs and mangroves act as buffers against infectious diseases and storm surges. Forests channel moisture into rivers that irrigate crops, while their roots prevent landslides. At a gathering on Monday in Montreal, 196 governments from around the world pledged to protect and restore 30% or more of the Earth’s water and land by 2030.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The laws of nature”

From the December 24th 2022 edition

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