The Curlew and His Friends:
Three Letters on the State of Biodiversity
By Aiden
November 2024
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The [INSERT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION] ’s Yearly Report on Biodiversity:
In the year [YEAR] alone, [NUMBER] species went extinct, and [NUMBER] species are now classified as critically endangered, a [BLANK] % increase from last year. Notably, [MARINE/TERRESTRIAL/FRESHWATER] populations are suffering the most acutely, with a concerning [BLANK] % of species now threatened with extinction.
This is caused mostly by deforestation and other agriculture-related land use, which has increased by [BLANK] % over the past decade, leading to greater habitat loss and ecosystem collapse.
In order to save our planet’s biodiversity, we must take action immediately. Here are a few of the main ways in which we can best minimize climate change and keep ecosystems intact:
1.Fix the Food System
●Agriculture currently is accountable for [BLANK] % of all greenhouse gas emissions, [BLANK] % of water use, and [BLANK] % of habitat loss. Through adequate governmental and individual support, it is possible to restructure our food system to be better for biodiversity, and more resilient. Today [BLANK] to [BLANK] % of food is wasted, all while an estimated [BLANK] % of the world population face malnutrition or starvation.
2.Adapt Energy Production
●Globally, energy production is responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions. Although the [COUNTRY NAMES] governments have pledged to phase out fossil fuel-based energy and adopt renewable sources, [FEW / NONE] have reached the necessary targets in order to adequately stave off global warming.
3.Educate and Mobilize Our Communities
●According to the most recent reports, fewer than [BLANK] % of the global population has heard of biodiversity, and an estimated [BLANK] % of communities actively disrupt or harm local ecosystems. We must work with and support indigenous peoples, and increase awareness of how people and their communities can actively decrease their carbon footprint and encourage biodiversity.
Some species have started to stabilize or even shown improvement, for example the [SPECIES]. These are thanks to ongoing conservation efforts. However, our most recent report still shows decreasing trends in biodiversity:
-A [BLANK] % decrease in biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems
-A [BLANK] % decrease in biodiversity in marine ecosystems
-A [BLANK] % decrease in biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems
While biodiversity continues to suffer globally, the most staggering losses are in [CONTINENT/REGION]. Despite local conservation successes, including species reintroductions and habitat creation, our report shows an average decline of [BLANK] % in global biodiversity. This is mainly due to invasive species, climate change, habitat loss, pollution, disease, and overexploitation.
Despite lofty goals set at the most recent COP[NUMBER] and collective commitments towards sustainability, governments have failed to deliver. A dismal [NUMBER] out of [NUMBER] targets set for 20[NUMBER] will be missed, with over [BLANK] % worse from the baseline.
In order to save what is left, we must act now.
