Loss of nature in Austria: urgent need for action for biodiversity!

Loss of nature in Austria: urgent need for action for biodiversity!

Wien, Österreich - Wien/Rome- At the 16th World Nature Conference in Rome, a significant step towards species and nature conservation was decided. The WWF Austria welcomes the new agreements to help the international community to acquire and distribute funds for the preservation of biodiversity. Under the direction of WWF expert Joschka Brangs, it was emphasized that the measures taken are decisive to stop the loss of nature: "These are necessary measures to maintain the biological diversity and thus our livelihood. However, the agreement must now follow," explained Brangs. Unfortunately, the financial means provided so far remain behind the self -imposed goals, which illustrates an urgent need for global solidarity.

alarming decline in species

The drama of the situation is illustrated by the “Living Planet Report” of the WWF. According to this report, the stocks of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fishing have decreased by an average of 73 percent since 1970. The situation is also worrying in Austria: over 80 percent of the FFH-protected species and habitats are in no favorable condition. In addition, only 14 percent of the rivers are ecologically intact, while frightening 90 percent of the original moor areas are already lost. The strong soil seal and the settling of the landscape contribute to the loss of biological diversity.

In order to stop and reverse the devastating loss of nature, the creation of an effective financing mechanism is essential, as was determined in the final document of the conference. The states are required to provide more financial resources to enable the implementation of the World Nature Agreement by 2030, which has set itself the goal of stopping the loss of biological diversity. These agreements are not only political, but also ecologically of the highest importance to secure our livelihood, such as the reports of and show impressively.