The Green Crusade: Working Towards Achieving SDG 15: LIFE ON LAND

Human existence is as reliant on land as it is on oceans for survival. Plants that grow on land make up nearly 80% of the human diet while agriculture is a crucial economic activity. Forests cover one-third of the Earth's surface and are home to 80% of terrestrial species providing habitat for a myriad of animal species while also serving as sources of air, and water and helping mitigate climate change in addition to their positive impacts. ? However, life on land faces serious threats. Each year, 13 million hectares of forests are lost to deforestation and land degradation has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares. ? Though 15% of the land is protected, biodiversity remains at risk. Around 7000 species of plants and animals are illegally traded, negatively impacting wildlife populations and spurring conflicts and corruption.???

SDG 15 aims to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The goal is to halt deforestation, restore degraded land, and increase the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The magnitude of humanity's reliance on ecosystems for survival is immense.

This goal is crucial for achieving sustainable development as it addresses issues such as climate change, food security, and biodiversity loss. In this article, we will explore the importance, its targets, and how we can work towards achieving them.

Why is SDG 15 so Important?

SDG 15 is crucial for achieving sustainable development. Life on land is essential for human survival as it provides us with food, water, and other resources.? Nearly 1.6 billion people depend on forests to live while 2.6 billion rely directly on agriculture. Land is also home to millions of species, many of which are threatened by human activities such as deforestation, land conversion, and overexploitation. By preserving and restoring terrestrial ecosystems, we can ensure that these species continue to thrive, which is essential for maintaining the balance of nature.

In addition, SDG 15 is closely linked to other sustainable development goals. For example, forests play a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also provide livelihoods for millions of people around the world. By conserving and sustainably managing forests, we can contribute to the achievement of SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Through SDG 15 we can directly impact several pain points that are related not just to the state of our planet, but also to the state of basic human existence and quality of life.?

Achieving SDG 15: The Roles of Businesses, Governments, and Individuals.?

The reality is that achieving any SDG goal requires collective efforts, efforts that must move in harmony to bring to reality the future that we desire. And as such, businesses have their role to play by implementing sustainability initiatives to achieve SDG 15. They can invest in renewable energy sources and reduce their carbon footprint to minimize environmental degradation. Companies can also introduce policies to reduce waste and encourage recycling and reuse of materials. Eco-friendly products and packaging can help customers live more sustainably. Companies can participate in reforestation efforts and protect natural habitats and raise awareness through social media campaigns and funding conservation projects. There are quite a number of ways companies can contribute to this goal, it is vital that every organization recognizes what role it can play, and takes action.

Individuals also have an important role to play in achieving SDG 15. We can make conscious decisions to reduce our consumption of resources. Simple actions like using reusable bags, minimizing food waste, and repairing/reusing items can help. Individuals can choose to buy products that are sustainably and ethically sourced. We can support conservation organizations financially and through volunteer activities like planting trees and cleaning up parks and beaches. Spreading awareness through social networks encourages others to also adopt sustainable lifestyles. Individual actions, though small, can make a difference on a large scale if many people participate.

Collectively, through combined efforts of businesses, governments, and individuals, we can reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss and protect terrestrial ecosystems. Increased funding, policies, and initiatives focused on sustainable land use, ecosystem restoration and conservation of natural capital will help achieve SDG 15. With a shared vision and coordinated action, we can ensure sustainable management of forests, combat desertification, halt biodiversity loss, and put the world on a path to use land resources in a way that benefits both people and the planet for generations to come.

FUND THE PLANET is helping Businesses and Individuals to play their part in achieving SDG 15

At FUND THE PLANET, we realize how important nature is to our existence and that of our planet, we also recognize how central and connected SDG 15 is to the other sustainable development goals. Know that protecting natural ecosystems plays a role in alleviating poverty, tackling global hunger, providing clean water, and very importantly, its role in our fight against climate change. We are acting quickly and decisively to stop the loss of biodiversity and deterioration of natural areas. The underpinning of human existence on our planet is a thriving terrestrial biosphere. We understand the collective contribution to the destruction of the planet's environment via deforestation, loss of natural habitats, and land degradation, and have provided a transparent and impactful way to protect nature and biodiversity.

Rainforest Tokens is our answer to the current crisis facing life on land. A sustainable solution that provides an alternative income for rainforest landowners who may have previously sought to sell their lands to companies or corporations which will destroy these natural ecosystems now have a choice. We have saved hundreds of hectares of rainforests and will continue to do. Our goal is to preserve as much nature as possible and to create a world where everyone and anyone can conveniently be a protector of our planet’s natural ecosystems.?

Let’s Work Together Today!

Achieving SDG 15 is imperative for human prosperity and planetary health. While progress has been made, much more is needed urgently to reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss and protect ecosystems. The solutions lie in global collaboration from all sectors of society.? At FUND THE PLANET, we are tackling this issue head-on. Through our Rainforest Tokens, we are providing an alternative source of income for landowners that preserve tropical rainforests rather than destroy them. Landowners can now choose to profit from conserving their lands and ecosystems instead of selling to companies that clear forests for industrial use and other unsustainable actions. Hundreds of hectares of rainforest have already been saved using our model.???

Contact FUND THE PLANET to learn how we can work together to achieve SDG 15 and preserve life-supporting ecosystems that future generations depend on. Together, through initiatives like Rainforest Tokens, innovative finance for conservation is transforming how we protect the planet's life on land. Now is the time to scale solutions that achieve SDG 15 and ensure that life thrives on land for generations to come. Get in touch, the future of life depends on it.