Australia’s steep biodiversity decline is one of the leading issues of cause for environmentalists. They are urging the Australian government to contribute to this decline in biodiversity.
Shocking biodiversity decline of Australian forests
Environmentalists and news agencies are urging the Australian environmental minister, Sussan Ley to take a stand on halting the biodiversity loss. After all, Australia has not decided to conserve at a minimum of 30 percent of forest land by 2030.
Additionally, according to Brendan Wintle, “Australia risks becoming a “global pariah” on the issue”. Wintle is the director of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub. He added that the country needs about $1.4 billion yearly. However, it can only balance the loss. “We can afford it, but we’re not doing it, and that’s on our leadership and our society,” he added.
The situation in Australia
Since the year 2000, over 7 million hectares of forest and threatened species habitat were cleared for agriculture and development. Additionally, the Australian government reported that 13 native Australian species went extinct this year. Out of them, 12 are mammals. The island nation has now lost a total of 34 mammals.
The government has a list of over 100 animals that are now extinct. However, the actual results maybe 10 times worse. “We should decide as a planet — and Australia especially — not to allow threatened species to become extinct,” added Wintle.
