Linkages between biodiversity conservation and global climate change in small island developing States (SIDS) |
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Authors: | Anilla Cherian |
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Affiliation: | UNDP, UNDESA, UNFCCC Secretariat, GEF, Rockefeller Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and the University of West Indies' Centre for Environment and Development |
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Abstract: | Global climate change is an important cause of biodiversity loss. The conservation, sustainable management and use of biodiversity resources are key factors that can be effectively used to minimize the adverse impacts of global climate change. Efforts to understand and address the linkages between global climate change and biodiversity loss are both urgent and timely. Integrating responses related to these two global environmental challenges is especially relevant for small island developing States (SIDS) because the adverse impacts of climate change can impose severe stresses on biodiversity resources that are fragile, vulnerable and already under stress and the people who depend upon them. This paper argues that comprehensive assessments of adverse impacts of global climate change on the biodiversity resources of SIDS, and an improved understanding of relevant climate change related adaptation measures and sustainable energy policies (that are based on the principles of conservation, sustainable management and use of biodiversity resources) will enable SIDS to become more resilient and to develop better response capacities. |
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Keywords: | Adverse impacts of global climate change Biodiversity loss SIDS Adaptation measures Conservation Sustainable management and use of biodiversity Sustainable energy policies Response capacities |
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