Chapter 21 18. Biodiversity and Ecosystems

China's animal and plant resources, birds and gymnosperms are all ranked first in the world. China is one of the countries with the richest biological species in the world.But there is also a crisis: 15% to 20% of plants are dying, and 40,000 animal species are endangered. If we say that China is advanced in any aspect, it is the Chinese people's awareness of biodiversity protection.The abundance and beauty of species on land in China is amazing, but it has not received enough attention in the past. China is the first batch of countries to sign the Convention on Biological Diversity.Today, it goes far beyond the international commitments it has made.

Conservation of biodiversity has become a fundamental goal of China, alongside economic development and urbanization.China has made great efforts in this regard for more than ten years. Since 2003, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has worked to save endangered plants.Today, China has invested tens of millions of euros in protecting rare plants that are disappearing, building gene banks and saving endangered wild animals. Now, more than 250 artificial breeding centers are responsible for the rescue of seven species, including giant pandas and crested ibis.Pandas are also known as China's "National Treasure".At present, the number of wild pandas in China is about 1,100 to 1,500, and the number of wild herring gulls is about 2,000 to 10,000. Tigers, which were once rare, are gradually appearing in Northeast China and other places.

To give another example, China is the first in the world to conduct scientific research on the baiji dolphin and to crack down on the hunting of the dwindling Tibetan antelope, which now number 70,000 left.China is also building a base in Yunnan Province in the southwest to protect the country's largest tropical rainforest ecosystem. There is no doubt about the sensitivity and sense of responsibility of the Chinese government in this regard!For example, bans on unsustainable fishing methods and the ban on plastic bags in supermarkets delight The Nature Conservancy. Beijing seldom takes stopgap measures... investing heavily in green jobs and forests.This was unimaginable just a few years ago!China will demand stricter rules from the United Nations.

Urgent situation?An international study shows that China's ecosystems absorbed between 28% and 37% of the carbon released from burning fossil fuels between 1981 and 2000. In the face of desertification and deforestation in the region, China claims to grow its forest area by 40,000 square kilometers per year, and reiterated its forest protection plan... The billions of trees planted by China have become a model, contributing to global biodiversity contribute. It's time to act! Between 2007 and 2008, the number of lost trees increased by 299%, mostly in Brazil.Half a million square kilometers of trees have been lost in the past 20 years.

Judging from the current rate of deforestation, if we still do not take any protection measures, the world's largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon forest, will disappear by 2030. China is now pursuing a balance between economic growth and sustainable development.Therefore, a large amount of capital and more advanced technology are required. China has also received support and assistance from scientific organizations, foundations, and state investment agencies active in this field, as well as organizations such as the China World Wildlife Fund, which has been working on sustainable development since 1980 .

challenge!By 2030, if people continue to squeeze our resources, humanity will have to use two Earths to meet its annual needs.Thus, the conflict between nature conservation and economic development continues.