Summary of A force to fight global warming Turner, Oppenheimer, & Wilcove (2009) by Sanjeet Singh POSTING 4

In the article, A force to fight global warming Turner, Oppenheimer, & Wilcove (2009), the authors call for greater use of natural ecosystems and biodiversity “to slow climate change and lessen its effects on people”. One example the authors used is the initiative to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). The article sees climate change as one problem for both nature and people.
Firstly, the authors say that protection of our ecosystems and reforestation efforts should be made around the world to reduce the existing amount of carbon in the air. It states that 2 gigatonnes of carbon can be removed from the atmosphere annually by ecosystems and reforestation. Restoration of degraded land to their original state also reduces carbon emissions.
Secondly, the article talks about preserving the natural ecosystems and biodiversity as a cheap and easy way as it will not pose as a financial difficulty as not much technology is required in the process. Degraded land is readily available for reforestation. Thus, this is one of the cheapest, safest and easiest solutions available. ) The cost of losing our natural environment is much more compared to the cost of restoring them.
Thirdly, Conserving ecosystems and biodiversity is more than just a fight to prevent global warming. It saves our livelihood too. The impact of natural disasters can be reduced by conserving mangrove forests and coral reefs that would act as a buffer against the storms. Restoring ecosystems also provide jobs for the locals regain destroyed homes and improve the water quality in that region. Unexplored biodiversity can aid in our livelihood too. For example, discovery of an enzyme from the gut of a marine crustacean is able to break down agricultural waste products for biofuels without compromising agricultural land and natural habitats.
Hence, ecosystems are vital for our survival and will help to protect us in times natural disasters. When people help to protect the environment, we reduce carbon emission which is a serious cause of global warming and climate change.