Plan Urban Areas for Human Well-Being and Biodiversity
Significantly increase the area and quality, and connectivity of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces in urban and densely populated areas sustainably, by mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and ensure biodiversity-inclusive urban planning, enhancing native biodiversity, ecological connectivity and integrity, and improving human health and well-being and connection to nature, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanization and to the provision of ecosystem functions and services.
Biodiversity and the City
If you live in a city, biodiversity might not be top of mind. It can be hard to remember that we are part of nature as we hurry on down to the subway. It is not good for us to be separated from nature. Nearly 60% of the world’s population live in cities — often far from the life-giving wonder of biodiversity. This makes parks, gardens and ponds extremely important. We need much greener cities to feel alright.
This is what Target 12 is about: our living conditions and the gifts we can receive from biodiversity if we recognize its value. The official wording of the target may not invoke love, but the intention behind it is full of it. Translated into plain language it goes like this:
“We need to build more parks, gardens, and ponds in cities and other places with high population. Existing nature areas should be maintained, improved, and easy to visit so that everyone can enjoy plants and animals and breathe clean air. Cities must be safe and green — this will help us to be happy, healthy, and connected to nature.”
Building and maintaining parks costs money, so we must agree on the value of the invaluable. Nature is not optional infrastructure.
One more thing: we can pay back a little of our debt to nature in suburban areas. They’ve become essential for pollinators to survive. Consider mowing that lawn a bit less.