******Native Plant Conservation Campaign News******
Slowing greenhouse emissions highlight urgency and value of biodiversity conservation.
Links To Stories and Report Below
December 8, 2015
Good news! There are signs that climate control may – finally - be beginning. A
recent European report shows global greenhouse emissions barely rose in 2014, after decades of uncontrolled growth. The data even suggest emission could decline in 2015.
Among the findings, the United States’ emissions rose less than 1%, and emissions from the European Union actually dropped 5.4% - an unprecedented event.
Perhaps more important, the emissions slowdown occurred despite 3% growth in the global economy, suggesting a “decoupling” between economic growth and emissions. GDP “decoupling” is essential to a solution to climate change.
This good news means we should redouble our efforts to conserve our remaining native plant communities. These communities are reservoirs of diversity. They offer the best chance for ecosystems to survive climate change and continue to provide the essential ecosystem services that support life for humans and the planet.
Emissions remain at extremely high - and unsustainable – levels, and 2014 was the warmest year on record. However a leveling off of emissions rates, with declines in some regions, may be a first step towards recovery.
Meanwhile, those who conserve native plant communities keep recovery possible by protecting the diversity we have left.
