Biosphere Reserves Can Spur Efforts to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change – UNESCO | General News

The Chief Programme Officer for Natural Sciences at the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, Apollonius Osei-Akoto Asare has disclosed that Biosphere reserves can spur efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change as well as encourage increased use of renewable energy.

He said the potential for action of reserves to tackle challenges such as the loss of traditional knowledge, cultural diversity and arable land, as well as global warming.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO)’s International Day for Biospher Reserves(BR) or World Biosphere Reserve Day is annually celebrated on 3rd November to create awareness about the significance of BR and to promote their conservation and sustainable use.

Apollonius Osei-Akoto Asare in an interview with Peace News observed that climate change, coupled with human activities like overfishing, sand winning and reclamation of wetlands, had resulted in deterioration of the ocean and similar resources.

He said Ghana has three biosphere reserves which are Bia Biosphere Reserve, Songor Ramsar Site and Biosphere Reserve, and the Lake Bosomtwe Biosphere Reserve.

Apollonius Osei-Akoto Asare calls for the establishment of a sustainable funding mechanism to reinforce the reserves.

Apollonius Osei-Akoto Asare noted that biosphere reserves serve as important hubs for scientific research and education, helping communities and stakeholders understand the impact of human activities on ecosystems and encouraging practices that protect biodiversity.