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Convention on Biological Diversity: Efforts to stop harming the environment

Duration: 0:11:42

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Conference was held in Kunming, China on November 11th with representatives from over 100 countries attending. Prior to the conference, the Kunming Declaration was passed on October 13th, which aimed to stop the destruction of life in the next decade. The conference focused on the theme of "Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth," with an emphasis on ecological civilization. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was split into two phases and included an ecological forum with participation from international organizations, research institutions, social groups, and businesses. During the first phase of the conference, 98 ministers from 94 countries attended and passed the Kunming Declaration, which set four main goals for protecting global biodiversity until 2050, as well as ten targets for 2030 and 21 specific tasks. The declaration called for urgent coordinated action by all countries to transform all sectors of the global economy to achieve these goals.

Language: Chinese
Topics: COVID-19Biology

Climate summit pledges to end deforestation and cut methane by 2030

Duration: 0:11:59

More than 100 world leaders committed to investing nearly $200 billion to end deforestation by 2030 and reverse the loss and degradation of land. This announcement was made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where countries like Canada, Brazil, Russia, and Indonesia signed the agreement to stop deforestation by 2030, a move considered key to preventing the impacts of global warming. These countries have approximately 85% of the world's forests. Besides, 28 countries have committed to reducing deforestation in global trade of food and agricultural products such as palm oil, soy, and cocoa. The United Kingdom pledged to support the initiative with $200 million from public and private funds. The EU government also promised €103 billion by 2025 to tackle deforestation. The decision was considered crucial in controlling the Earth's warming to 1.5°C.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Climate changeDeforestation

European particulate air pollution death rate in 2019 lowest in 30 years

Duration: 0:11:17

A report released on November 15th, 2021, by the European Environment Agency revealed that air pollution caused more than 300,000 premature deaths in the 27 EU countries in 2019, the lowest number in 30 years. The report highlights that the number of deaths could be halved if EU countries comply with the World Health Organization's air quality standards. The reduction in deaths is attributed to better air quality resulting from government measures and improved weather conditions. Ozone, a gas that can protect human health by blocking ultraviolet radiation, but can also be harmful to health, contributed to a 10% decrease in death rates in the EU. However, many EU countries still have air pollution that exceeds the EU and WHO standards. The report also highlights that air pollution is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, followed by lung disease, and can also hinder children's lung development, exacerbate respiratory infections, and trigger asthma.

Language: Chinese
Topics: EnvironmentWorld Health Organization