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- A species or an ecosystem once destroyed cannot be restored. Extinction is FOREVER.
- Continued human population growth and conservation are fundamentally incompatible.
- A growthmanic economic system and conservation are fundamentally incompatible
- The idea that only the short-term goals and immediate happiness of sapiens should be considered in making moral decisions about the use of Earth is lethal, not only to nonhuman orgaisms but to humanity.
- Until ethical attitudes evolve further, conservation must be promoted as an issue of human well-being and, in the long run, survival
In 1980, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) published a long range-plan for preserving Earth's living resources. It rested on three major goals:
- Maintain those ecological processes and life-support systems that are essential
- Preserve genetic diversity of organisms
- Utilize organisms, species, and ecosystems sustainably
The strategy outlined special attention strategies for specific areas in the coming years. Firstly, desertification and erosion of genetic resources for crops must be halted and reversed to improve agriculture. Secondly, the forests must be saved, with a special focus on protecting watersheds. Thirdly, the oceans must be cared for.
Fourthly, endangered species would be given special attention, as resources in themselves and as parts of ecosystems. The IUCN gave top priority to saving species that are:
- genetically unique from any other organism
- culturally or economically important and or are closely related to other organisms that are
- live in species-rich areas, so that many organisms can easily be preserved together.
The IUCN wanted this World Conservation Strategy to be adopted by every nation and integrated into its everyday development policies. However, not many countries are showing great interest in the project, despite the urgent need for it. Obviously, more needs to be done in order to save our rapidly deteriorating planet and its rainbow of unique creatures. Earth needs your help, too.
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