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Launch of ecosystem assessment follow-up
Stockholm Resilience Centre will play a key role in the follow-up of the 2005 UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA).
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment assessed the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being. From 2001 to 2005, the MA involved the work of more than 1,360 experts worldwide. Their findings provide a state-of-the-art scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the world´s ecosystems and the services they provide, as well as the scientific basis for action to conserve and use them sustainably.Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
The UN will present their follow-up at the UNEP Governing Council meeting in Monte Carlo, 20-22 February.The 2005 assessment, flagged the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being.
The 2008 follow-up consists of four key areas:
- Continuing development of resilience knowledge, above all the social and ecological capacity to deal with change and continue to develop
- Continuing the support to policy, management and governance of ecosystem services
- Planning of a second UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
- Capacity building, education and outreach
Resilience Centre to lead capacity building and education
Stockholm Resilience Centre will be leading the MA-work on increased capacity building and improved education within transdisciplinary research. Furthermore, it will take the lead as one of the key scientific reference points within sustainable development.
- The world's ecosystems generate services that provide the basis for our welfare. However, we are now starting to realize that the human erosion of ecosystem resilience can cause abrupt and extensive changes such as deforestation and global marine crises. Stockholm Resilience Centre provides new knowledge on how to strengthen and develop nature's capacity to deal with change and it is therefore a pleasure for us to be a key partner in the United Nations ecosystem assessment, says Johan Rockström, Executive Director of Stockholm Resilience Centre.
Dramatic warning signs
The findings of the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment revealed that 60 percent of key ecosystem services such as fisheries, forestry, freshwater and climate regulation have been dramatically affected during the last 50 years.
The findings from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment provide a basis for action to conserve and use ecosystems in a more sustainable fashion.
- This work is extremely important, considering the fact that the world's ecosystems play a key role in the global efforts to reduce climate change effects, Rockström says.
The MA follow-up will be lead by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
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