Excerpt and Photo from caribois.org
While countries continue to invest in conservation projects to support the goal of conserving 30 percent of the world’s biodiversity by 2030, Dr. James Fletcher reminded attendees at the 26th Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (RedLAC) Congress in St. Lucia of the importance of incorporating climate action into these efforts.
A former St. Lucian Minister for Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, Fletcher gave the reminder as he delivered a keynote address on the Congress’ final day on October 9.
Describing climate change and biodiversity loss as “twin crises,” Fletcher used a graph showing the link between increasing global temperatures associated with climate change and biodiversity loss.
He explained, “Keeping the global average temperature rise below 1.5 will be essential. The gravity, scope, and frequency of loss and damage will continue to increase with every additional fraction of a degree of temperature increase. A warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius will result in a 70 to 90 percent loss of warm water corals—the corals that people come to the Caribbean to dive to see.”