Massive biodiversity loss to affect 500 million in Southeast Asia

MANILA, Philippines - At least 500 million people in Southeast Asia might be affected if 1,312 of the 64,800 species in the region become extinct, according to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Rodrigo Fuentes, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) executive director, said radical environmental changes and irresponsible human practices could result in massive species loss that could affect an estimated 500 million people.

“Drastic environmental changes coupled with irresponsible human practices are causing serious harm to plants, animals and their habitats all over the world,” he said.

“There will be massive decline and extinction in Southeast Asia if governments and their citizens fail to protect and conserve the region’s biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest threats to the people of ASEAN.”

Fuentes said among these endangered species are Brunei’s Asian elephant, Laos’s Eld’s deer, Malaysia’s Sumatran rhinoceros, the Philippine eagle, and Thailand’s ban-teng.

These animals could become extinct due to deforestation, wildlife hunting, climate change, pollution, and population growth, among others, he added.

Fuentes said seven of the world’s 25 recognized “biodiversity hotspots” are in ASEAN, while 80 percent of Southeast Asia’s coral reefs are at risk.

“Today, biodiversity is fast becoming endangered because of modern development and by the sheer pressures and demands of the growing human population,” he said.

“Our wasteful and inefficient consumption patterns also affect the environment that nourishes us.

“Eating too much meat, for one, requires more resources to raise animals. Consuming endangered animals to satisfy our cravings causes species decline.

“Using non-recyclable food containers affect the environment as well. The choices we make in our daily consumption of food and other goods have an ecological footprint and often, larger ramifications that we are unaware of.”

Fuentes said many parts of ASEAN are being cleared for timber for agricultural development.

On the other hand, the seas and coral reefs are being over fished, damaged and polluted while valuable species are being collected without letup, he added.

Faced with the unprecedented loss of biodiversity, the 10 ASEAN states have signed the Convention on Biological Diversity, the first global agreement to cover the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. 

By signing the Convention, the ASEAN states have committed to reduce biodiversity loss by next year (2010), which is the International Year of Biodiversity.

“In 2002, the participants to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) committed themselves to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional, and national levels as a contribution to poverty alleviation, and for the benefit of all life on Earth,” Fuentes said.

“(But) as 2010 draws near, the targets set in the 2002 Summit need to be assessed and progress made has to be reported to the global community.”

The ASEAN states have also declared previously 27 areas as ASEAN Heritage Parks, and designated 1,523 protected areas based on The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Category.

Fuentes said a conference with the theme “Biodiversity in Focus: 2010 and Beyond,” will be hosted by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the National Parks Board (NParks) of Singapore on Oct. 21-23 this year in Singapore.

“The ACB 2009 (conference) is envisioned to be one of the most important gatherings of key biodiversity stakeholders and players in the ASEAN region who will discuss emerging trends, issues, and concerns on biodiversity conservation and management,” he said.

“About 250 of Southeast Asia’s key personalities from academia, the research and scientific community, government, and high-level policymakers are expected to come to this event.”

The ACB will provide a forum for exchanging perspectives on initiatives that address biodiversity issues in the region, and discussing steps forward in advancing the ASEAN biodiversity agenda with the context of meeting the 2010 Biodiversity Target, Fuentes said.

The conference will also have parallel sessions on “Biodiversity and Climate Change,” “Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity – the ASEAN Region’s Contribution,” and “Access to Genetic Resources and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising Out of Their Utilization.”

Southeast Asia occupies a meager three percent of the earth’s surface, but contains over 20 percent of all known plant, animal, and marine species.

Three of the world’s mega-diverse countries are in the region: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.