Debunking the 80% Biodiversity Claim
A widely cited claim that Indigenous peoples protect 80% of the world's biodiversity has been debunked as unsupported by data. The scientific journal Nature published findings that challenge the validity of this statistic, raising concerns about its impact on conservation efforts.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 8 |
Novelty | 7 |
Positivity | 2 |
Reliability | 9 |
Actionability | 3 |
Society | 7 |
Journalism | 8 |
Highlights
- A claim that 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is protected by Indigenous peoples has been widely cited but is unsupported by data.
- The scientific journal Nature reported that the 80% claim is a baseless statistic that could jeopardize Indigenous-led conservation efforts.
- The claim was cited in over 180 scientific publications and was checked as true by a dedicated fact-checking organization.
- The origins of the claim trace back to reports by the UN and the World Bank from the early 2000s.
- The authors of the Nature article faced criticism after challenging the validity of the 80% claim.
Perspectives
- Some authors of the Nature article faced backlash for challenging the 80% claim, with critics arguing that it undermines Indigenous conservation efforts and could be politically sensitive.
- The article emphasizes the need for robust data in environmental studies, arguing that misleading statistics can harm conservation efforts and the credibility of Indigenous communities.