Today marks the beginning of a major United Nations conference focused on global biodiversity.
The two-week meeting in Nagoya Japan will attempt to set a renewed course for halting biodiveristy loss over the next decade. Environmental ministers from around the world previously set a similar target for 2010, but that was a resounding failure, as studies continue to show that the loss of plant and animal species continues unchecked.
Despite general acknowlegment that the planet is undergoing a mass extinction event caused by human activities, the political landscape for preventative action remains a major stumbling block.
The dispute between rich and poor nations mirrors that of the climate change debate: rich nations rose to prominence by using (and abusing) their natural and biological riches. Now the greatest biodiversity and natural wealth lies predominantly in developing nations.
The political choice seems to be to allow these developing nations to use (and abuse) their natural resources to elevate their near-term standard of living–or pay them to preserve these riches for the health of the planet.
As with global climate change negotiations, funding is a central issue and sticking point. Developing nations have asked for a 100% increase in funding from rich nations.
Over the next two weeks, negotiators will consider a 20-point plan for preserving terrestrial and ocean animals and habitats. They will also decide whether to set a 2020 deadline for halting biodiversity loss, or to set a series of specific actions.
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