The natural fix? : the role of ecosystems in climate mitigation : a UNEP rapid response assessment

Large cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases are needed if we are to avoid the worst effects of global climate change. This "Rapid Assessment Report" describes the vital contributions which ecosystems can and must make to improve these efforts. It presents carbon capture and storage through a Green Economy lens, outlining the potential in terms of natural systems, from forests to grasslands which have been doing the job in a tried and tested way for millennia. Currently, the world's ecosystems instead of maintaining and enhancing nature's carbon capture and storage capacity, are being depleted at an alarming rate. This authoritative report, compiled for World Environment Day on 5th June, underlines a far greater potential across a wider suite of natural systems: a potential to not only combat climate change and climate-proof vulnerable economies but to also accelerate sustainable development and the achievement of the poverty related Millennium Development Goals. The report describes the contribution that ecosystems can make in efforts to cut very large emissions of greenhouse gases that are needed if we are to avoid the worst effects of global climate change. Vigorous efforts are needed to decrease carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere and doing so will be impossible without addressing carbon losses from ecosystems such as forests and peatlands. Managing ecosystems for carbon can not only reduce carbon emissions; it can also actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Restoring some of the large amounts of carbon lost from agricultural soils and drylands has the greatest potential here.--Publisher's description "A rapid response assessment report released by UNEP to mark World Environment Day 2009 indicates that boosting investments in conservation, restoration and management of natural ecosystems will not only become important, but will provide our best and most effective way to slow down climate change and accelerate sustainable development and the achievement of the poverty-related Millennium Development Goals"--Publisher's site