This September, the world has a unique opportunity to unite behind the protection of nature and its role in stabilizing the climate emergency and halting the sixth mass extinction. Scientists strongly recommend protecting at least half of Earth’s land and seas in order to sequester hundreds of ppm of carbon and preserve tens of thousands of species. The traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples also compels us to share Earth equally with nature. This is why, if adopted, a new proposal at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Motion 101, would make the protection of at least half of Earth’s lands and seas the official recommendation to the United Nations and other international governing bodies.
The best science and traditional knowledge is clear about what must be done. The question is, are world leaders ready to make such a commitment?
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MOTION 101 FAQ
What is Motion 101?
On a grand scale, Motion 101 is an opportunity for humanity to take the first step towards restoring a just, respectful, and sustainable relationship with nature. Motion 101 proposes that protecting at least half of Earth’s land and seas become the official recommendation of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to the United Nations.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature is the world’s leading conservation governance organization, with official United Nations observer status. Policies adopted at the IUCN lead the way for global change across hundreds of institutions and countries. Motion 101’s success this September at the IUCN could pave the way for new, more ambitious and science-based policies for the protection of nature at-scale and around the world. It would also unite the best contemporary science with the ancient, traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples.
Why is 101 important?
This is the first time national delegations will convene to specifically debate the science-backed conclusion that humanity needs to protect at least Half of nature for the survival of life as we know it. Motion 101 comes at a critical moment in our history, when our choices about our relationship with nature and the climate matter more than ever. The next ten years are critical for the future of humanity and life on Earth. The adoption of Motion 101 on the IUCN would set the stage for a positive and action-filled decade.
What does Motion 101 do for climate?
It’s simple! Without sufficient amounts of wild nature, we cannot keep temperature rise below 2°C. Why? Because Earth’s primary forests, grasslands, and peat bogs store more than 100 parts per million (ppm) carbon in plants and soils, carbon that must remain in the ground if it is to not contribute to climate change.
In order to avoid the catastrophic effects from climate change, Earth must remain well under 450 ppm carbon in the atmosphere. At the end of 2019, the world has just over 408 ppm. Destroying even a quarter of our remaining wild areas would remove a critically necessary carbon sink that – without any cost to society – helps us avert the worst effects of runaway climate change.
What does Motion 101 do for extinction?
The data are clear. The single greatest cause of extinction is habitat loss, making the destruction of Earth’s wild places the most severe threat to life. Wildlife serves vitally important functions for all of life. Whales and sharks feed the phytoplankton that emit half of Earth’s oxygen. Rhinos and bats plant the trees and shrubs that stabilize regional climates and produce healthy air. To protect life’s allies we must set aside enough space for them to live. Wild nature is their home.
Over one million species are projected to go extinct in the next fifty years if we do not set aside enough habitat to protect them. Protected areas and sustainably managed and restored lands (areas where human communities dwell in harmony with nature) are the cornerstones of biodiversity and wildlife. They give nature the space it needs to function for the benefit of all life.
Would Motion 101 require every country to protect Half?
No. Motion 101 is a global target and calls for protecting Half of the planet’s lands and seas – it does NOT specifically ask for this to occur in every country. The fact is that nature is so fragmented and degraded in some places that achieving Half on a reasonable time scale is nearly impossible. These regions must work to find sustainable solutions on shared lands that, to the extent possible, keep nature’s life-giving services intact. Meanwhile, it is even more important that the remaining intact and functioning nature is set aside for the benefit of all life.
What do Indigenous Peoples think about Motion 101?
Motion 101 recognizes the full rights and leadership of Indigenous Peoples over traditional lands. Indigenous Peoples steward nearly 40% of Earth’s remaining wild places, even though their communities constitute only 5% of the human population. And over 80% of Earth’s biodiversity lives on these lands. Indigenous lifeways and leadership are critical for the future of humanity and the biosphere.
What is the difference between the 30/30 and HALF campaigns?
Many of those who support Motion 101 also support other policies and movements that increase spatial targets over current levels of protection, including the High Ambition Coalition and the 30×30 movement. We are especially pleased when other spatial target movements acknowledge that 30% is a milestone on the road to protecting Half. Groups like the Sierra Club have officially endorsed both 30×30 and the Half target. We believe that together both movements are stronger. This is especially true for negotiations. The scientifically-backed Half target can be a significant asset for those who hope to negotiate 30% protected by 2030. When Half is recognized as the ultimate goal, 30% can become a compromise position between what is scientifically required and what is deemed politically feasible.
This situation has recent historical precedent in the environmental movement. In the lead up to the (Climate) COP 21 in Paris, two ambitious targets generated international attention: the scientifically supported 1.5 Celsius and the politically more feasible 2 Celsius. Due to the strength and support of the movement supporting 1.5 Celsius, the politically more feasible target was achieved without further compromise. Additionally, while the world committed to 2 Celsius, they also simultaneously acknowledged that 1.5 Celsius was the scientific recommendation.
Such an arrangement at COP 15 might be the most realistically ideal result. Motion 101 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress will assist with that aim by allowing national delegations to acknowledge the need for protecting Half without committing to protecting it. This outcome, while not the ultimate goal, is a significant step forward from where we currently stand as a movement.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Endorse Motion 101
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Be an Ambassador
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Sign the Global Deal for Nature
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If you are an IUCN member and unable to attend the Congress, you can give your vote by proxy to an organization that is attending. The WILD Foundation is happy to act as that proxy. Get accredited now!
SPREAD THE WORD
MOTION 101 TOOLKIT
You can make a difference! Please help us by sharing this content starting in August leading up to the Congress on Sept 1-10.
Below you’ll find educational presentations as well as social media content and graphics. View all the content below. Please reach out with any questions to info@wild.org.
Educational Presentations
Presentation for NGOs – view the PDF
Presentations for Government – view the PDF
July Social Content - to copy, paste, & post
As an ambassador for nature, you are nurturing awareness around the world by sharing content that helps others understand their dependency upon the gifts of wild nature. Thank you for being an agent of change and a better future.
Below you’ll find links to each day’s posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As an ambassador, we’d love for you to repost/share each day’s content.
Click on a social icon below to share the image. You can write your own text, or copy & paste the text to the right of each image.
WEEK 1
MONDAY, JULY 19
Infographic
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
TUESDAY, JULY 20
Video
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Aug/Sept Social Content - to copy, paste, & post
As an ambassador for nature, you are nurturing awareness around the world by sharing content that helps others understand their dependency upon the gifts of wild nature. Thank you for being an agent of change and a better future.
Below you’ll find links to each day’s posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As an ambassador, we’d love for you to repost/share each day’s content.
Click on a social icon below to share the image. You can write your own text, or copy & paste the text to the right of each image.
AUGUST WEEK 1
What is Motion 101? It is the science-backed proposal to make protecting Half of Earth the official recommendation of the IUCN while supporting 100% of Indigenous Peoples rights to their lands. We support Motion 101. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
AUGUST WEEK 2
The science is clear. We need to protect at least Half of Earth’s land and seas to defend nature’s life-giving services. If you accept the science, consider voting for IUCN Motion 101. #IUCNCONGRESS https://naturebeyond2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Woodley-et-al-survey-PARKS-25.2-Proof-5.pdf
AUGUST WEEK 3
A Global Deal for Nature starts with the call to protect half of Earth’s land and seas. It starts with adopting IUCN Motion 101. #IUCNCONGRESS globaldealfornature.org
AUGUST WEEK 4
A Global Safety Net will help stabilize the climate crisis, and it begins with protecting Half of Earth’s land and seas. The IUCN can help defend humanity’s future by adopting Motion 101. #IUCNCONGRESS https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/4/eaaw2869
AUGUST 31 (EVE OF CONGRESS)
What does it mean to protect Half of Earth’s land & seas? It means functioning ecosystems, it means 100% Indigenous Peoples rights to traditional lands, it means accepting the science. I support a #NaturePositiveCarbonNeutral future. I support Motion 101. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 1
Only a healthy relationship with wild nature leads to a #NaturePositiveCarbonNeutral future. The IUCN can reignite this relationship by adopting Motion 101 as the official recommendation to protect Half of Earth’s land and seas. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 2
Wild nature supports all life when it has space to thrive. Protecting at least Half of Earth gives nature the space needed to produce the things people need most. I support space for nature. I support IUCN Motion 101. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 3
The scientific consensus calls for us to protect half of Earth’s land and seas to stabilize the climate crisis, halt mass extinction, and defend humanity. Will the IUCN listen? Support Motion 101 and vote for the protection of Half of Earth. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 4
Nature is our strongest ally in the climate emergency. The IUCN can help preserve nature at a planetary-scale by adopting the science-backed Motion 101 and officially recommending the protection of Half of Earth’s land and seas. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 5
Protecting Half of Earth goes hand-in-hand with defending 100% of Indigenous Peoples lands and lifeways, and ensuring a just and #NaturePositiveCarbonNeutral future for all. I support IUCN Motion 101 for justice and nature. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 6
The science is clear: humanity depends upon protecting Half of Earth as much as we depend upon a steep reduction in Carbon emissions. A vote for IUCN Motion 101 is a vote for humanity as much as it is for nature. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 7
We choose to protect Half of Earth to stabilize the climate crisis because the goal will protect humanity, because the challenge is one that we are willing to accept & unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win. We choose to vote for Motion 101. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 8
IUCN Checklist: Defend nature. Save the future. Support Indigenous Peoples. Protect Half. Vote for Motion 101. #IUCNCONGRESS https://wild.org/motion-101/
SEPTEMBER 9
Our future depends upon the choices we make today. The world is counting on the IUCN to adopt Motion 101 and officially recommend protecting Half of nature for the benefit of all life. #IUCNCONGRESS globaldealfornature.org
FURTHER READING
For more about what scientists say regarding the critical necessity of protecting Half, please read the following.
Dinerstein et al
(September, 2020). A ‘Global Safety Net’ to reverse biodiversity loss and stabilize Earth’s climate” https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/36/eabb2824
Woodley, S et al
Area-based conservation beyond 2020: A global survey of conservation scientists (Parks, Vol 25.2 November 2019) See: https://naturebeyond2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Woodley-et-al-survey-PARKS-25.2-Proof-5.pdf
Woodley, S et al
A review of evidence for area-based conservation targets for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (Parks, Vol 25.2 November 2019). See: https://naturebeyond2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Woodley-et-al-Targets-PARKS-25.2-proof-3.pdf
Dinerstein et al
(April 2019) A Global Deal For Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/4/eaaw2869
Locke, H
(November 2013) Nature Needs Half: A Necessary and Hopeful Agenda for Protected Areas. Link: https://parksjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/PARKS-19.2-Nature-needs-half.-A-necessary-and-hopeful-new-agenda-for-protected-areas.-Locke-pdf.pdf