Environment and Biodiversity
What is the problem?
Wildlife, biodiversity and the environment are under huge stress
We rely on nature for everything, from the soil in which our food grows to the air that we breathe. The natural world is a complex interconnected system which provides a vast number of materials necessary for life.
And yet we have lost so much of the worlds natural habitat through excessive exploitation, pollution, and now the effects of climate change.
The loss of wildlife species is evident everywhere, including Suffolk.
Global heating is now causing rising sea levels, flooding, drought, fire and extreme hurricanes in many parts of the world.
The UK, for example, has lost half of all the nature that once existed here. In fact, we’re one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
Tipping Points
These are areas where there are critical thresholds which, if crossed, will cascade into an entirely new environmental states. People will no longer be able to live in many of these areas. These are not just remote islands or mountains, but include many cities on major rivers. Breaching tipping points may permanently change the way the planet works.
25 Tipping Points have been identified – these include:
Melting of Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets which will raise sea levels globally affecting all coastal communities.
Disruption of Atlantic ocean water circulation - which includes the Gulf Stream. Called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, this is caused by increased sea temperatures and lower salinity of meltwater. Northern regions, including the UK will be significantly colder as we will no longer experience the flow of mild Gulf Stream weather.
The thawing of vast areas of permafrost land will release significant amounts of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding to global climate CO2e.
The melting of glaciers will disrupt the monsoon cycles in India and Africa, and displace communities in Europe’s alps.
Warming of water and ocean acidification, caused by excess CO2 in the water, results in coral reef dieback, and destroys the habitats of marine life globally.
Amazon Rainforest used to absorb billions of tons of CO2 annually, acting as a crucial carbon sink for the planet. However recent research indicates that increasing levels of deforestation means that parts of the Amazon are now emitting more carbon than they absorb.
See more information at the following some great UK organisations:
World Wildlife Fund
The latest figures from the WWF’s Living Planet Report show that nature is being lost at an unprecedented rate, with the average size of monitored wildlife populations dropping by 73% in just half a century.
Natural History Museum
A wealth of information and facts from scientists can be found on their environment pages. They cover issues on “How have humans changed the planet?” “What is biodiversity loss? and “Why does it matter?”
Keeping Track
Understanding, assessing and keeping track of the worlds ecosystems is key to decision making.
Red Lists
You may have heard of the “Red List” – this is a record of birds who are at risk of going extinct.
There are now 73 species on the UK Red List, with 10 of these being breeding seabirds. They are organised into ‘Red’, ‘Amber’ or ‘Green’, depending on their level of conservation concern.
The International Red List
This group of organisations has assessed the loss of species worldwide. In Europe this includes nearly 16,000 species, including all vertebrate species (mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and fishes), insects, beetles, trees, shrubs, mosses, and other plants. It is a key source of information for environmental projects.
Natural History Museum
Recording the state of nature is the first step in conservation. The world’s largest data set on biodiversity: PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) has been created after years of research. It is now available on the Museum’s Data Portal for anyone to access.
RSPB – Reverse the Red Campaign
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, alongside a whole host of international partners, are working in the UK and globally to save birds and our most threatened wildlife across the world from extinction.
What Can We Do?
Impact on the climate in Suffolk
In Suffolk, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. The region is experiencing more extreme weather patterns, including hotter summers and wetter winters.
These changes are affecting local agriculture, with some crops struggling to adapt to the new conditions.
Suffolk is also facing significant biodiversity loss.
Your garden can be made more insect friendly
These are the easiest and most accessible places for families to get up close and personal with a wealth of wildlife.
The Royal Entomological Society is a great source of information on bees, butterflies and other insects, and they encourage gardeners to view their gardens first and foremost as habitats for a wide range of creatures.
The Wildlife Trusts “30 by 30” Project
Major environmental trusts are working with many different organisations big and small, including schools and farmers etc. They aim to tackle the biodiversity crisis by connecting and protecting 30% of the UK’s land and seas for nature by 2030.
In Suffolk they have a water vole riverbank project.
East Suffolk Council
ESC support local wildflower projects by agreeing with local communities on how to manage the mowing of their grass verges and public green spaces.
All new planning developments in East Suffolk are now required to contribute to biodiversity enhancement.
This includes creating new habitats as part of landscaping schemes and incorporating Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) to support local wildlife.