[Broadcast HD] Biodiversity loss costs EU 450 billion euros per year

+++ Title of Story +++ Biodiversity loss costs EU 450 billion euros per year +++ Story Summary +++ In addition to the financial crisis, there is a silent crisis of biodiversity loss costing the EU 450 billion euros each year. ALDE MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66, Netherlands), Special Rapporteur on Biodiversity of the European Parliament, presented his draft report today in the environment committee and called for the "No Net Loss" principle to be applied - that those who cause damage to nature must compensate the loss. The European Parliament intends to come forward with a strategy to end biodiversity loss by 2020. "A quarter of the plants and animals in Europe are in danger of extinction," said Gerbrandy during the presentation of his draft report. Gerbrandy advocates the "No Net Loss" principle whereby governments and companies have to make up for the damage they cause to nature through the funding of compensation projects - similar to the 'polluter pays' principle. "This is the most effective way to stop the decline of biodiversity. Subsidies that cause damage to nature must be eliminated as soon as possible. Now we pay twice: we first finance the destruction of nature and then pay to fix it." In 2012 the European Union has a historic opportunity to make significant steps towards halting the loss of biodiversity. "The overhaul of the Common Agricultural Policy, Cohesion Policy and policy on Fisheries presents a golden opportunity to integrate and mainstream the ...

View Count: 0 Date: January 27, 2012