The future of global urbanization and the environment

Abstract

Using findings of the Cities and Biodiversity Outlook (CBO), we propose three specific solutions to mitigate the loss ofecosystem services and biodiversity in our urban and urbanizing landscapes. The CBO identified continued loss of criticalhabitats for biodiversity conservation and degradation of many important ecosystem services due to urbanization.The fact that most ecosystem services and biodiversity itself are common goods facilitates this loss and degradation.To address this issue, a fundamental solution can be giving value to ecosystem services and biodiversity in the marketplaceand firmly incorporating them in urban planning processes

Citation

McDonald, Rob; Guneralp, Burak; Zipperer, Wayne; Marcotullio, Peter. 2014. The future of global urbanization and the environment. Solutions. November-December 2014: 60-69. 10 p.