The Future of Sustainability: Have Your Say!

Week One - “Global Challenges to Sustainability in the Twenty-First Century”
Comment / Comentario / Commentaire

David Pitt, IUCN/CEESP

Moderating team: David Pitt emphasizes the conclusions of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and his work on the effects of global warming in icy regions (cryosphere).

David Pitt realza las conclusions del Reporte de los Ecosistemas del Milenio y su trabajo en los efectos del calentamiento global en regiones glaciales (criósfera).

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Jeff McNeely has covered the essential points excellently. The conclusions of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment should be emphasized including their points about cultural as well as species extinction. It is estimated by UNESCO that about half of the world's 6,000 languages will disappear in the next few years and with them inestimable traditional ecological knowledge.

With regard to what IUCN should do. There are windows of opportunity. One of them is the forthcoming International Polar Year. The icy regions (cryosphere) are already experiencing more warming than other regions, melting , as well as importing much pollution, and could become more rapidly populated and industrialized as the huge expanses of Siberia and Canada/Alaska open up with urgent conservation challenges. I am currently working on a sub global follow-up to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment scenarios in the cryosphere and would like to hear from any other members of our network who are interested too.