Biodiversity and Climate

The world is experiencing biodiversity loss at an unprecedented rate, often referred to as the “Sixth Mass Extinction.” This loss, compounded by climate change and pollution, constitutes one of three major planetary crises recognized by the United Nations. Human activity drives biodiversity degradation, yet millions rely on ecosystems for their livelihoods, making biodiversity preservation critical for economic opportunities and well-being.

Our Work

Environmental Defenders focus on conserving ecosystems in the Albertine Rift, specifically the Murchison-Semliki, Greater Virunga, and Ituri landscapes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. This region is part of the Congo Basin, a biodiversity hotspot facing growing threats.

The Problems

Biodiversity Loss: Human activity, monoculture practices, mining for critical minerals and fossil fuel, logging, and urbanization threaten ecosystems, reducing food and water security while increasing vulnerability to climate change.
Climate Change and Pollution: These factors reduce arable land, fresh water, and biodiversity, amplifying risks for low-income communities and exacerbating global inequality.
Land Degradation: Agriculture and urbanization have degraded one-third of all land, creating waste management issues, changing water balances, and leading to biodiversity loss.

Impact and Vision

By addressing biodiversity loss and climate challenges, we aim to secure ecosystems and habitat for species, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable development. Our work contributes to mitigating climate change, restoring natural habitats, and supporting vulnerable communities, especially in low-income regions.

Activities

We actively engage in the following activities as part of our works on Biodiversity and Climate:

Environmental Defenders works to conserve the interconnected ecosystems of the Albertine Rift and Congo Basin, two regions of immense biodiversity facing increasing threats. We actively engage in tree planting, reforestation efforts, and seed banking to ensure the long-term health of these vital ecosystems. Our work includes restoring damaged land, preserving critical habitat for threatened wildlife and plants, and establishing wildlife corridors to facilitate movement and genetic exchange across these landscapes. Through biodiversity monitoring and targeted conservation initiatives, we’re working to prevent species extinction and maintain the delicate balance of these interconnected ecosystems. We believe that educating and raising awareness within communities are crucial for long-term conservation success, and we actively engage in environmental education programs throughout the Albertine Rift and Congo Basin regions.

We create wildlife corridors to link fragmented habitats to help rescue endangered and threatened species from extinction.

We protect important and endangered habitat for species and climate.

We produce and supply high-quality native seedlings to restore the natural forests that have already been lost.

We restore habitats, support wildlife, and enhance ecosystem health.

We plant trees and protect biodiversity.