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[Letter] Present and future biodiversity risks from fossil fuel exploitation

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Version 2 2023-06-12, 08:50
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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 08:50 authored by Michael B J Harfoot, Derek P Tittensor, Sarah Knight, Andrew P Arnell, Simon Blyth, Sharon Brooks, Stuart H M Butchart, Jon Hutton, Matthew I Jones, Valerie Kapos, J?rn P W Scharlemann, Neil D. Burgess
Currently, human society is predominantly powered by fossil fuels—coal, oil and natural gas—yet also ultimately depends on goods and services provided by biodiversity. Fossil fuel extraction impacts biodiversity indirectly through climate change and by increasing accessibility, and directly through habitat loss and pollution. In contrast to the indirect effects, quantification of the direct impacts has been relatively neglected. To address this, we analyse the potential threat to > 37,000 species and > 200,000 protected areas globally from the locations of present and future fossil fuel extraction in marine and terrestrial environments. Sites that are currently exploited have higher species richness and endemism than unexploited sites, whereas known future hydrocarbon activities will predominantly move into less biodiverse locations. We identify 181 ‘high-risk’ locations where oil or gas extraction suitability coincides with biodiversity importance, making conflicts between extraction and conservation probable. In total, protected areas are located on US$3-15 trillion of unexploited hydrocarbon reserves, posing challenges and potentially opportunities for protected area management and sustainable financing.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Conservation Letters

ISSN

1755-263X

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

4

Volume

11

Article number

e12448

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sussex Sustainability Research Programme Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-03-19

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-03-19

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-03-17

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