The implementation of a road map to protect 30% of the earth's surface by 2030 will result in an economic profit of 455 billion dollars every year, therefore the governments must adopt a policy of conservation
According to a draft report by the World Economic Forum, conservation of large areas will be an economic opportunity mainly for developing countries such as African countries. According to the forum, the loss of life forms from the biodiversity in the sea or on land is a threat to the global economy, therefore the draft of the "Biodiversity Roadmap" published in 2020 was distributed which calls for increasing the conservation areas from the existing 17% to 30% by 2030. If this If carried out, it will bring an economic profit of 455 billion dollars every year.
Against those who claim that there is an economic risk in the implementation of the initiative, the authors of the draft cite the African forests as an example and claim that the forests in Africa play a vital role as a source of food and medicine for large populations on the continent. Although Africa has many protected areas, the damage to the forests is an example of the tension between conservation and protection and production and development.
One of the examples of how a developing economy depends on nature is the way in which fishermen supplement their income by engaging in tourism. Yes, without the protection of marine nature, their livelihood will be harmed from both fishing and tourism, and without protection of nature there is a high risk of harming the health of the fishermen as well.
According to the authors of the draft: "Africa has a great deal of natural capital which, if properly managed, will improve the living conditions of local populations, of countries on the continent and further on, and of many populations in the world." For example, the importance of maintaining the second largest area of equatorial forests in the world is great, the forests of the Congo Basin, which are important carbon absorbers and, moreover, constitute an important environmental system that is essential to preserve. So are the diverse and rich habitats that the continent is blessed with and which are important to nurture and preserve.
As part of the fight against COVID-19, it is important to promote conservation and thereby also ensure the creation of jobs and the guarantee of livelihood and health for the rural populations that border protected areas, because despite the restrictions following the epidemic, the expectation is that by 2030 the number of tourists in Africa will double, with 80% of them being tourists who come to stay in nature and watch animals -bar.
The creators of the road map call on African governments to identify areas for conservation and set a timetable for the implementation of conservation. Contrary to the tendency to divert budgets and subsidize actions that will harm nature, it is necessary to encourage and provide incentives so that the private sector invests in preserving nature.
As on land, so also in the seas and oceans, the creation of protected areas will improve the health of the aquatic systems and allow an increase in the amount of fish, which will benefit fishermen, improve the supply of food to coastal populations and once again be an incentive for the development of nature tourism.
Additional reasons for preserving African forests is their importance as a source of food, medicine and as cultural and traditional landmarks. Protecting forests will prevent the spread of animal-borne diseases by limiting people's exposure to wild animals.
Africa's biodiversity is deteriorating due to deforestation, which is partly driven by the need for fuel for cooking and lighting, therefore at the same time and in order to optimize the conservation activity, it is necessary to introduce alternative means for cooking and lighting where the most effective means that can be implemented immediately are systems for utilizing sunlight.
"There is an essential need to reflect the true value of nature. When deciding on a policy, it is essential and necessary to consider the economic, cultural, traditional and moral value of nature so that the results of the decisions are sustainable and reconcile with the needs of the natural environment and future generations."
Elsewhere it was mentioned the fact that for many generations Africa was branded as the black continent, the uniqueness, beauty and importance of Africa justifies and requires change.
It should be called the "nature-conservation continent". As someone who traveled, stayed, worked and studied in parts of the continent and learned to love it, I wholeheartedly support the blessed change.
