A group of 288 scientists from six continents has issued a consensus statement urging governments to formally include wildlife and their ecological roles in climate policy. The statement, announced at the UN climate talks in Bonn, argues that animals like forest elephants, bison, and fish contribute to carbon storage and ecosystem stability through their natural behaviors. The scientists warn that current climate models and nature based solutions often overlook these contributions. The consensus cites research estimating that restoring wild animal populations could boost carbon dioxide uptake by an additional 6.41 gigatons per year, helping close the gap needed to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The document provides a reference for policymakers to account for wildlife in climate assessments and planning. It stops short of prescribing specific policies but gives governments a scientific basis to expand nature based solutions beyond trees and soil.
