Summary
This expansive document uses data and visualization to convey the state of various goals that the UN is striving to achieve as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 15, summarized here, outlines what life on land is like and goals for its improvement.
The document opens with an infographic that outlines several key points, such as how 10 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually and how 90% of this deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion (such as cropland expansion and livestock grazing). This section goes on to emphasize the importance of healthy ecosystems and biodiversity in producing a sustainable and better future. It breaks down in detail the destruction of the world’s forests, namely in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, while relating this destruction to human activity. Afforestation efforts in Asia, Europe, and North America are highlighted and the policies that enabled such afforestation are promoted as a possible solution in other regions. The section also highlights the progress made in benefit-sharing of genetic resources (i.e. plant materials, animal-based materials, or microbial materials), which is cited as a positive outcome.
The document goes on to showcase the growing threat of extinction of critical species, mainly in Asia and small island developing nations, as a consequence of human activity. While optimistic about the growing amount of land under some sort of biodiversity protections, the document does caution that North Africa, South Asia, East Asia, and Oceania are lagging in protecting more regions. The document closes on a slightly optimistic, though still cautious, note about national planning and its integration of biodiversity considerations.