Syke Policy Brief | Sustainable solutions for environmental policy | Finnish Environment Institute | 7.5.2024
Stopping biodiversity loss makes sense
In Finland, the yields of Turnip Rapeseed have been declining due to pollinator loss.
Biodiversity loss caused by human action results in nature becoming degraded and uniform. This hampers the provision of ecosystem services, such as pollination, which is essential for food production. As an EU member, Finland plays an important role in nature conservation. Nature is diverse by its nature. Species living in a same area depend on each other. These dependencies can be depicted as a fabric, in which each thread represents one species. Human action degrading nature results in the gradual, often unpredictable perishing of this fabric. The more individuals – and eventually entire species – are lost, the more severe changes in ecosystem functioning we witness. The main driver of biodiversity loss is the habitat decline and degradation caused by human activity. For example, natural resource use, construction, and land use change cause biodiversity loss. As large proportion of Finland’s land area is managed for agriculture and forestry, our economy is strongly dependent on nature.
Nature is also psychologically important for Finns. Therefore, it makes sense to enhance nature conservation and restoration and cut emissions to water and air. In addition, we should develop biodiversity-friendly land use practices and enhance circular economy. We need to address biodiversity loss and make use of research-based knowledge.
f Finns wish for more active 64% omeasures from the government to halt the biodiversity loss.
hink that climate change 79% tand biodiversity loss should be tackled together.1
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