United Nations Climate Change conference

• The alarming rates at which we are losing species is not just a tragedy of epic proportions – the destruction of biodiversity also robs humanity of one of its strongest defenses against climate change.
• By one estimate, about US$598 billion to $824 billion is needed annually to reverse the loss of species worldwide.

Different ways of posing the problem

• Should we, as I have argued in my research as an expert in environmental economics, try to regulate the rate at which habitat is being converted from natural to human-centered uses?
• An alternative approach concentrates on conserving what biologists call keystone species that play a critical role in holding the ecosystem together.

A solution

• One of the most original and interesting answers to this question was provided by the late Harvard economist Martin Weitzman, who applied economic analysis to address the conservation of endangered species.
• In a pioneering 1998 paper titled The Noah’s Ark Problem, Weitzman viewed the challenge of figuring out which species to conserve with limited resources as a modern-day equivalent of the problem the biblical patriarch Noah faced when trying to determine what to take with him – and hence save – on his ark.

• The first is utility to humans – insects pollinate crops that yield food, and so on.
• There is no serious dispute that biodiversity – the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria and fungi – benefits humans.
• As the World Health Organization puts it, “Healthy communities rely on well-functioning ecosystems.
• They also limit disease and stabilize the climate.” Yet nearly a third of all monitored species are currently endangered because of human activities.

An example

• To see this, imagine that there are two libraries that have many volumes (or species members), some unique to each library and some overlapping.
• If Library 1 burns to the ground, we lose all of the volumes (species members) with the exception of those that are also housed in Library 2.

What does it mean in practice?

• We may be better off protecting, for example, the Atlantic menhaden, or pogy, a primary food source for bigger fish and birds along the Eastern Seaboard and a vital connection between the bottom and top of the food chain.
• A current lawsuit claims it is subject to overfishing in and around the Chesapeake Bay.

Amitrajeet A. Batabyal does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The results of this year's "Epson Global Climate Barometer" are in, and it captures views of over 30,000 people in 39 countries, attempting to better understand global responses to climate change.
• The survey reveals that while globally more people now cite climate change as a major global issue over any other, the issue that seems to be plaguing more than half of U.S. respondents most are the economic challenges facing the country, followed by climate change.
• Epson's Global Climate Barometer survey reveals climate change and rising prices are the top global concerns in the U.S.
  Now in its third year, the Barometer is published as evidence grows of catastrophic climate change: with record high sea temperatures ; record low levels of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice ; and extreme climate events across the world.
• "The world is acknowledging that climate change is one of the biggest and most challenging issues of our lives.

• NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid) successfully unveiled the Report of State Grid Corporation of China on Contribution to the Implementation of Global Development Initiative (hereinafter referred to as the "Report") at the Headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in New York.
• Furthermore, it also highlights the responsibility borne by State Grid as an active participant, steadfast executor, and strong promoter of the GDI.
• Tong Chong, a senior engineer from State Grid Suzhou Power Supply Company, interpreted the Report at the event.
• The explorations and endeavors help State Grid align with and even lead the global sustainable development.

• IBM's continued involvement in the U.N. effort builds on a long legacy of research and action on global challenges in collaboration with governments and civil society
  ARMONK, N.Y. and UAE, Sept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM ) today announced its role as an Associate Pathway Partner of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).
• Throughout the conference, IBM will showcase how technology and consulting can enable business, society, and government to accelerate progress toward sustainability goals.
• The company issued its first environmental policy more than 50 years ago—in 1971—and published a formal position on climate change in 2007.
• IBM is also a founding member of the United Nations Environment Programme's Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment and the Climate Leadership Council, and supports communities vulnerable to climate change and other environmental issues through initiatives like the IBM Sustainability Accelerator .