Switzerland

According to Swiss experts speaking on Monday at COP28, the loss of biodiversity is just as serious a problem for nature and humanity as climate change.

Climate protection measures should thus not harm biodiversity, said Dirk Karger from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) at the Dubai climate conference. Climate and biodiversity influence each other reciprocally, he and other experts said.

As an example, they cited “mixed forests”, which reflect more sunlight and heat up less than purely coniferous forests. This is because conifers have to close their stomata earlier in hot weather in order not to lose too much water. Stomata are microscopically small pores in leaves and needles that serve to regulate the exchange of gases between the tree and its environment. ...