Have you heard of 30 by 30?
The United Nations working group has called for the conservation of 30 % of lands and waters by 2030. More specifically, “…at least 30 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas and 30 per cent of oceans must be conserved through an effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative, well-connected systems of highly
protected areas and Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures – covering
areas important for biodiversity including Key Biodiversity Areas, Ecologically and
Biologically Significant Marine Areas, intact ecosystems and ecosystem services.” This goal extends to protect 50% of the planet by 2050.
Scientists conclude that this milestone is critical in the protection of our natural world from climate change, including the one million species at risk of becoming extinct, according to National Geographic.
This year, President Biden issued an executive order committing the US to join these efforts by promising to protect 30% of the US land and oceans by 2030. Currently, only about 12% of US lands are protected areas managed for the preservation of biodiversity.
In order to meet this 30 by 30 goal, private landowners will have to play a part. In fact, “About two-thirds of species listed on the U.S. endangered species list are found on privately owned lands, and around half of the country’s forests considered usable for carbon storage sit on private property.”
Conservation easements of private lands will play a critical role in achieving this milestone, which is necessary for the survival of our planet as we know it.
