Biodiversity: We need to make peace with other species | Posted by ABC Mexico

Biodiversity: We need to make peace with other species
The Path to a Sustainable Mexico | Posted by ABC Mexico

Mexico has an ancient culture of coexistence and sustainable use of biodiversity, but many people, sometimes without even knowing it, abuse the other species with which we share this territory. Learning from our ancestors and the scientific community, we must make economic and social development compatible with the conservation of natural ecosystems. Now is the time to accelerate sustainable development that recognizes and respects the intrinsic and evolutionary value of all life forms, that reverses deteriorating trends and creates the conditions for shared prosperity between society and nature. There are reserves of knowledge, but we do not always use them. Both ancestral practices and scientific knowledge collected and preserved by the National Commission for the Study and Use of Biodiversity (Conabio) must be put at the service of society and support the best government decisions.

Government agencies, organizations and production companies must formulate policies for the use and occupation of the area, taking into account the criteria of risk prevention and sustainability. The state has planning tools to integrate environmental and urban planning with effective forms of governance. Spatial planning must take into account adaptation to climate change without losing sight of ecological connectivity. Planning should be based on existing knowledge of biodiversity and landscape, as well as climate change vulnerability scenarios developed by the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC).

To achieve the goal of conserving 30% of Mexico’s territory by 2030, as we committed to in the Convention on Biological Diversity, Mexico must strengthen the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) and promote the creation of more federal protected areas. , public and voluntary for conservation by land owners. Protected natural areas must reflect the biodiversity of the Mexican territory and be effectively managed. The National Forestry Commission (Conafor) needs to expand the coverage of the payment for environmental services program. The environmental sector urgently needs to restore degraded habitats, especially in headwater basins, watersheds and riparian ecosystems, while protecting and restoring endangered species. It must be recognized that ecosystem services contribute to the creation of added value in economic activity and social well-being, and therefore the conservation and restoration of ecosystems brings a double dividend that is complementary and reinforcing: at the same time, it has a positive impact on economic dynamics and social well-being.

The Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), together with the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), must enforce the law and promote sustainable production systems in which communities protecting biodiversity prevent changes in soil use and the influence of the seas. SADER should implement policies that enable producer families to convert their plots to sustainable practices and promote the use of traditional sustainable practices in areas that are important to their biodiversity. Promoting organic products, local crops and responsible production also contributes to the health of Mexican men and women and the well-being of producers. The concept of “One Health” for all species, including ours, promoted by the United Nations, should find in Mexico a fertile country for its application.

The Mexican state has an obligation to effectively enforce environmental laws regarding deforestation, overfishing, pollution, and wildlife trafficking, which requires strengthening institutions that enforce the law, such as Profepa. Coordination between ministries and between different levels of government is central to the implementation of environmental legislation. Institutions need to be strengthened with technology that can detect and stop crimes in real time. The judiciary must strengthen training for judges on environmental issues, and Congress must develop legal structures to immediately address complaints of damage to environmental systems.

ABC/Mexico is a multiple and diverse initiative to chart an environmental future for Mexico based on scientific and ancestral knowledge.

The document summarizes a year of conversations with hundreds of people, all of whom are convinced that Mexico’s development involves protecting water and biodiversity, and doing better to combat the impacts of climate change on our country.

It’s easy to join the initiative. Visit https://forms.gle/MKiFunGskMyAfCrv6 and choose the best way to do this.