The biosphere cannot save us on its own – a response to COP28

From seagrass to rainforests, natural ecosystems have enormous potential to fight climate change. But the capabilities of the biosphere are being stretched to the limit.

“The COP28 final statement emphasised that the climate and biodiversity crises are intimately connected. From seagrass to rainforests, natural ecosystems have enormous potential to fight climate change. But the capabilities of the biosphere are being stretched to the limit by climate change; we have seen this in the last few months how unprecedented heat, drought and fire in the Amazon forest may well be turning it from an absorber to an emitter of carbon.  The biosphere cannot save us on its own: a complete fossil fuel phase out is essential for a thriving planet.”

“The agreement to transition away from fossil fuels at COP28 can be considered ‘historic’, but to truly make history we need rapid action. As UN Secretary General, António Guterres succinctly puts it, we need  ‘everything, everywhere, all at once.’”

Professor Yadvinder Malhi, Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, Director