SDG 15 is to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.”
Did you know…
Approximately 2.6 billion people make a living through agriculture and around 1.6 billion people make a living through forest engagement. It is estimated 60-80% of Earth’s freshwater comes from mountain regions. Forests are home to 80% of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Carbon dioxide levels could decrease by up to 33% by 2030 if nature-based climate solutions were applied.
Land degradation is a global issue. It is important to protect land as there is a large biodiversity in the ecosystems relying on it including humans with 80% of our diet based on plants. Forests provide habitats for millions of different species. They are also an important source for clean air and water and for tackling climate change. Over 30% of Earth’s surface is covered by forests.
As human population increases, every year 13 million hectares of forests are lost and, because of the persistent degradation of drylands, 3.6 billion hectares have been desertified. Many key compounds in drugs can be naturally found in the forested areas and there may be many more yet to be discovered. However, if the destruction continues, this may mean that the sources of existing medicines could become scarce and could prevent the research into new, better drugs.
There is a need for immediate action so the natural habitat and biodiversity are not lost.
Targets
- “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.”
- “By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests…”
- “Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed.”
- “By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.”
How Chemistry Can Help
Chemistry can play a major role in protecting life on land. That is because all the ecosystems are affected by environmental chemistry and human activity.
The chemical sector can contribute to meet this goal by developing environmentally friendly processes that think of the environment first. This would significantly help life on land and protect the species that are already endangered. Moreover, chemistry can contribute by managing its environmental impacts and dependencies by limiting negative impacts on the environment. Improving products through better operational management and through philanthropic efforts can protect critical ecosystems. This can be achieved by improving product formulations and design products further downstream.
Chemistry can also contribute through new chemical technologies that enable us to use less trees for more production. Moreover, by using chemicals, the recycling process and the paper production require less wood pulp and thus, we can protect forests and conserve valuable natural resources.
Chemical fertilizers help to restore soil nutrients that have been lost over years of cultivation. So, those chemicals can help to reverse land and natural habitat degradation (see SDG 2: Zero Hunger).
Chemistry and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 