Goal 15: Life on Land

Each month the UN highlights one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). In May, Goal 15 looks at Life on Land. 

“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”. 

There are 12 targets and 14 indicators for SDG 15.  Targets specify the goals and indicators represent the metrics by which the world aims to track whether these targets are achieved.

Here are a few of the targets and indicators for Goal 15: 

• Indicator 15:1 Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
• Indicator 15.2 A proportion of important sites are protected areas.
• Target 15.2. End deforestation and restore degraded forests.
• Indicator 5.2.1 Progress towards sustainable forest management
• Target 15.3 End desertification and restore degraded land.
• Target 15.4 Ensure conservation of mountain ecosystems.
• Indicator 15.4.1 Coverage of important sites for mountain diversity
• Indicator 15.4.2 is the Mountain Green Cover Index 

This Mountain Green cover index measures the percentage of mountainous areas covered by some form of green vegetation.

• Target 15.5: Protect biodiversity and natural habitats.

The outcome goal states that by 2030 desertification would have been combated. Degraded land would have been restored as well as soil and we would have achieved a land degradation-neutral world.

It is important to protect as freshwater so that the biodiversity of a particular area/region is preserved for species that are becoming extinct, especially birds.

Why does it matter, Life on land? It’s where you and I live along with other species. We humans have the responsibility to maintain the environment. We know that every minute 23 hectares of arable land are lost. Every year we lose 13 million hectares of forest that are home to 80% of all land-based species and provide livelihood to 1.6 billion people.

We all depend on our forests for our livelihoods and for our breath. They are the lungs of the world.

Here are some of the benefits to keeping life on land healthy.

Our land ecosystems provide a series of goods:

• raw materials for construction and energy, 
• food 
• the capture of carbon, 
• maintenance of soil quality, 
• provision of habitat for biodiversity,
• maintenance of water quality, 
• as well as regulation of water flow and erosion control

What can we do to sustain diversity of species? 

1. We can volunteer with an organization that works to save lives of various animal species that are endangered and stay informed.
2. Study the importance of forests and sustainable forest management. 
3. Adopt cross-sectoral approaches to sustain diversity.
4. Foster collaboration to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in a coherent and coordinated way that will increase the valuation and recognition of the full value of forest goods and services. 

In addition, here are some UN suggestions for transformative actions for the SDGs: 

1. Commit to targeted and accelerated action to remove all legal, social, and economic barriers to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the realization and enjoyment of their human rights. 
2. Take integrated action at all levels to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems and promote healthy nutrition, diets and consumption practices, and to recover momentum and accelerate efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. 

3. Commit to targeted and accelerated action to remove all legal, social, and economic barriers to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the realization and enjoyment of their human rights. 
4. Take integrated action at all levels to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems and promote healthy nutrition, diets and consumption practices, and to recover momentum and accelerate efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. 

5. Commit to targeted and accelerated action to remove all legal, social, and economic barriers to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the realization and enjoyment of their human rights. 
6. Take integrated action at all levels to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems and promote healthy nutrition, diets and consumption practices, and to recover momentum and accelerate efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. 

6. Commit to targeted and accelerated action to remove all legal, social, and economic barriers to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the realization and enjoyment of their human rights. 
7. Take integrated action at all levels to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems and promote healthy nutrition, diets and consumption practices, and to recover momentum and accelerate efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. 

7. Commit to targeted and accelerated action to remove all legal, social, and economic barriers to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the realization and enjoyment of their human rights. 
8. Take integrated action at all levels to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems and promote healthy nutrition, diets and consumption practices, and to recover momentum and accelerate efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. 

8. Commit to targeted and accelerated action to remove all legal, social, and economic barriers to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the realization and enjoyment of their human rights. 
9. Take integrated action at all levels to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems and promote healthy nutrition, diets and consumption practices, and to recover momentum and accelerate efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. 

9. Commit to targeted and accelerated action to remove all legal, social, and economic barriers to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the realization and enjoyment of their human rights. 
10. Take integrated action at all levels to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems and promote healthy nutrition, diets and consumption practices, and to recover momentum and accelerate efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. 

10. Commit to targeted and accelerated action to remove all legal, social, and economic barriers to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of all women and girls, and the realization and enjoyment of their human rights. 
11. Take integrated action at all levels to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems and promote healthy nutrition, diets and consumption practices, and to recover momentum and accelerate efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. 

For further study of Goal 15, Life on Land, please go to https://www.globalgoals.org/goals/15-life-on-land/ There is a fabulous list of Things to do. There is at least one thing we can do in addition to what we are calling our governments to do.