Zhou Jinfeng On Ecological Civilization: How Should Urbanization Avoid Accelerating the Rapid Loss of Biodiversity? (I)
2020/1/6 16:01:00 本站

Recently, a biodiversity documentary producer-director visited Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, Secretary-General of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF). The half-day meeting witnessed the fruitful discussion on biodiversity loss and the relationship between urbanization and biodiversity. Zhou shared his views as follows.

 

The rapid biodiversity loss is not only an ecological environmental issue but also an unprecedented great challenge faced by all of us. The target 7b of the Millennium Development Goals exists to be achieved, namely “Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss”. As the United Nations enter into the era of sustainable development goals, the condition of biodiversity loss doesn't improve. The Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem service of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) published in last May suggests that of an estimated 8 million animal and plant species, around 1 million are threatened with extinction for human actions, many within decades, unless action is taken to reduce the intensity of drivers of biodiversity loss. The globe is entering into the sixth Mass Extinction, and we may be one of the few generations who can make a change.

 

Starting from his childhood experience, Zhou mentions the relationship between urbanization and biodiversity loss. When he was a kid, it was common to find fields, various animals and plants nearby Xizhimen and Jianguomen. But the situation is different. You can hardly see fields with rich biodiversity in Beijing. Menyanthes trifoliata, Beijing indigenous species, for instance, is hard to find as the brooks and small pieces of wetland it grows on were destroyed for infrastructure construction. The biodiversity loss lies in the shrinking habitat.

 

An increasing number of people surge in urban areas. The so-called ecological and landscape projects which are not based on the principle of biodiversity conservation and aesthetics design boom. Wetland restoration and protection programs carried out in many areas preserve waters, but show inefficient conservation of organisms such as flower, bird, fish, and insect, thus leading to biodiversity loss.


Original Chinese article:

http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4854/10776.html


By / Wang Yanqing