# The Game-Changing '30 by 30' Biodiversity Initiative You Should Know
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Chapter 1: Understanding '30 by 30'
When I hear the term '30 for 30,' my mind initially drifts to ESPN's acclaimed series of sports documentaries that celebrated thirty years of the network. From captivating episodes like “You Don’t Know Bo” to “Four Days in October,” this series has enchanted sports enthusiasts. However, I've recently encountered a more impactful association with '30 for 30'—one that centers on conservation rather than athletics.
Buried within the Democratic Party’s national platform lies a noteworthy initiative that hasn't garnered the attention it deserves in scientific discussions. Dubbed '30 by 30,' this plan has the potential to significantly influence conservation efforts in the United States and globally.
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Section 1.1: The Vision of '30 by 30'
The '30 by 30' initiative aims to safeguard 30% of the planet's land and marine environments by the year 2030. As highlighted by Grist, the plan, unveiled in January 2020 by the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, presents a roadmap to address the biodiversity crisis that many scientists argue is leading to Earth’s sixth mass extinction. The ambitious objectives include protecting 30% of all land and sea, ensuring at least 10% is under strict protection, curbing the spread of invasive species, and reducing nutrient and plastic pollution by half.
While the goal appears straightforward, its implementation poses significant challenges, particularly in the U.S. Currently, 26% of U.S. waters are protected, while only 12% of the land enjoys similar safeguards. The Endangered Species Act (ESA), considered one of the most effective environmental laws in American history, was passed in 1973 with bipartisan support. Notably, the core issue the ESA addressed—conservation—aligns with the principles of '30 by 30.'
Polls indicate that 86% of voters support the objectives of '30 by 30,' including 76% of Republican voters, according to the Center for American Progress. Despite the contentious nature of climate change and environmental justice, there is a shared, bipartisan commitment to wildlife and habitat conservation.
The video "NParks Spotlight: When The Seas Explode Life!" explores how marine ecosystems burst with vitality, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
Section 1.2: The Importance of Effective Conservation
From a conservation standpoint, not all land holds equal value. Protecting pristine wilderness in critical habitats, like the Amazon rainforest, is far more advantageous than preserving barren or low-impact landscapes. The principle of "protect the best and improve the rest," commonly embraced by conservation organizations, encapsulates this idea.
Chapter 2: The Urgency of Biodiversity Preservation
The ESA has played a crucial role in saving numerous endangered species, including the grizzly bear, from the brink of extinction in the contiguous U.S. The '30 by 30' initiative aims to build on this foundation, recognizing the immediate need to address the biodiversity crisis and committing to actionable strategies with far-reaching implications. The 2020 Living Planet Report from the World Wildlife Fund revealed that vertebrate populations have plummeted by around two-thirds from 1970 to 2016, with Latin America and the Caribbean suffering a staggering 94% loss in animal populations. A significant portion of this decline is attributed to land-use changes that '30 by 30' seeks to rectify.
Current extinction rates are alarmingly 100 to 1,000 times higher than the typical background rate, marking this as a sixth mass extinction event, largely driven by human activity. While climate change receives considerable attention, the significance of biodiversity should not be overlooked.
As Nature.org aptly states, "Among all the plants and animals with whom we share the planet, only we possess the ability to determine the path our shared future will take."
Let’s make wise choices.
The video "Nat Talk: Highlights from the State of Biodiversity 2021" provides insights into the current state of biodiversity and the challenges we face.
Section 2.1: Political Landscape and the Future of '30 by 30'
Achieving the '30 by 30' objective may prove elusive should Donald Trump secure reelection. The Center for American Progress noted that he is "the only president in U.S. history to have removed more public lands than he has protected." His administration's aggressive stance against public lands is among the most damaging environmental policies in recent history.
Conversely, if Joe Biden is elected, the prospects for '30 by 30' look promising. Recent polling data suggests that the Democratic Party has a strong chance of controlling both houses of Congress starting in January 2021. The widespread bipartisan support for conservation could transcend legislative divides, even if Democrats do not achieve full control.
I am encouraged to see such forward-thinking policy proposals included in the Democratic Party's platform. As we enter 2021, I hope our federal government recognizes the profound benefits of '30 by 30' and takes steps to implement it. Time is of the essence, but the potential rewards of prompt action are substantial.
Reflecting on her remarks earlier this year, former Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell stated, "What’s your alternative? To just throw in the towel and say, ‘All right, I’m going to enjoy the rest of my life and not do something about this?’ No. I mean, we don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. How are we going to feel if this is what we leave, and we don’t take steps to follow the science that we know, to learn from the indigenous communities that have known, using thousands of years of observation, what we need to do? So the time to act is now, and I think that we are at a moment in our world history [when] people are paying attention.”
I certainly hope so!