A new report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has shown that the pace of climate change is accelerating too fast for many plant and animal species to adapt.
The report also shows that climate change is leading to profound impacts on species’ ability to survive and food production.
Published a few months ahead of the second session of the COP15 biodiversity talks in Kunming, China, the findings present another urgent reminder of the action needed on decarbonisation and conservation investment, as well as the need for improved integration of biodiversity and climate agendas.
According to the report, Plants and animals in terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems use temperature, day length or rainfall as cues for major phases of their lives, such as flowering, bearing fruit, breeding and migrating.
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“But as the climate warms, not all species are shifting in the same direction or at the same rate, and such key phases of interdependent species are falling out of sync” UNEP warned in Frontiers 2022.
The report also draws attention to the increasing threats to human health and the environment from noise pollution and wildfires.
Story was adapted from China Dialogue.
