CBD COP11 (9/10/2012) – Thomas E. Lovejoy, biodiversity chair at The H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment explains that the consequences of even two degrees of global warming would be devastating for many ecosystems.

Lovejoy emphasises that it is not just coral reefs affected by climate change but varied ecosystems across the world. He believes that the six degrees of warming warned of by some recent studies would be fatal for nearly all species, including humanity.

Lovejoy goes on to explain his vision for a scheme of ‘planetary restoration’ to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 50 parts-per-million, comprising reforestation and altering agricultural practices so that they sequester carbon.