A rapid response assessment report released by UNEP to mark World Environment Day 2009 indicates that that boosting investments in conservation, restoration and management of natural ecosystems will not only become important, but will provide our best and most effective way to slow down climate change and accelerate sustainable development and the achievement of the poverty-related Millennium Development Goals.

It is vital to manage carbon in biological systems, to safeguard existing stores of carbon, reduce emissions and to maximize the potential of natural and agricultural areas for removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Tags: agriculture biodiversity climate change coastal ecosystems conservation deserts ecosystem forests oceans terrestrial