Biodiversity

The prospect of new protected areas in the 30x30 plan raises alarms for many Indigenous communities around the world, who fear they could be barred from their traditional lands in the name of conservation.

As representatives from nearly 200 countries gather for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, environmental activists living in the Amazon region hope the conference's proposals will generate new projects in favor of the forest and the populations that live in the region.

An event Dec. 8, titled Faith Voices Raising Ambition for a Strong Global Biodiversity Framework, marked the first time that faith-based organizations held an official side event at a U.N. biodiversity conference. Faith groups hope to raise their moral voices and contribute to implementation strategies at COP15 in Montreal.

Nations are gathering in Canada for COP15, the U.N. biodiversity summit. Representatives of the world's religions will be there, where they hope to raise moral principles and policy priorities on preserving creation.

Recent events brought together Catholic organizations and leaders in an effort to shine a light on the dangers facing oceans and biodiversity around the globe and to outline church positions in defense of both.

An online discussion May 23 as part of Laudato Si' Week brought together religious, Indigenous and academic voices to highlight the importance of biodiversity and ways to better ensure its protection.

Chopping down trees may seem counterintuitive to restoration, but when it's invasive trees, it helps protect biodiversity. Volunteers are helping with that at Headwaters Sanctuary, run by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

Bishops urge leaders to support a sustainable recovery from the pandemic, ensure fair access to vaccines and move quickly to halt biodiversity loss and meet Paris Agreement goals.