Watch: Video campaign highlights biodiversity loss in run up to COP15

A video campaign launched by animal welfare charity International Animal Rescue (IAR) is calling for public support for nature in the run up to COP15.

The UN summit on biodiversity is set to begin next week in Montreal, Canada and has been called our ‘last chance’ to preserve wildlife.

To raise awareness of the severity of the situation, IAR has partnered with Grammy-nominated composer Amie Doherty and singer songwriter Billy Lockett to put together the animation which highlights how urgent action is needed.

Approximately one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and the climate crisis.

Scientists have repeatedly highlighted how the nature and climate crises are two sides of the same coin – one can’t be solved without solving the other. Biodiversity loss not only worsens climate abnormalities, it also increases the risk of zoonotic diseases spreading.

IAR is asking supporters to sign a letter the organisation is sending to world leaders to show the public’s support for the campaign and their investment in halting biodiversity loss. 

200 countries will come together from December 7th to discuss plans for restoring nature and halting biodiversity loss, but there are fears no world leaders will be in attendance. China, which is the COP15 President, is believed to have only sent out invitations to minister and NGOs.

TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham is urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to attend, alongside charities RSPB, the Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trusts and Plantlife.

‘Sunak ought to be looking further into the future, to protect the planet, not for himself, but for his great-grandchildren, if he’s in that way motivated, because environmental care isn’t about the next five minutes, it’s about the next 500 years,’ Packham told the Guardian.

Discussions at the conference are expected to centre on the goal to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030 which currently is not making much progress. Research from the Wildlife Trusts has found just 3% of land and 8% of sea has been protected so far.

Photo provided by IAR