GENEVA - Marylandian -- New science published today reveals that protecting and enhancing the populations of even a limited number of wildlife species could help to keep rising global temperatures below the critical 1.5 °C threshold, while simultaneously reversing biodiversity decline and offering multiple other benefits.

These are the findings of a new paper published today in the leading journal Nature Climate Change.

The paper, co-authored by 15 scientists from eight countries, outlines how the restoration of such populations would "supercharge" ecosystem carbon sinks, thereby helping to keep rising global temperatures below the critical 1.5°C threshold.

More on Marylandian

• Lunai Bioworks (N A S D A Q: LNAI) Takes Parkinson's Discovery to the Next Level With Exclusive Tanaist Agreement
• The DMV Jazz Series returns to New Spire Arts with Five New Artists
• Revenue Optics Names Prat Patibandla Director of Growth Marketing
• Independent Autopsies Are Changing Civil Cases: Kansas City Forensic Explains Why Families Are Seeking Second Opinions
• JEGS Launches Transformed Digital Commerce Platform Powered by PhaseZero

Rewilding animal populations to enhance natural carbon capture and storage, which is known more popularly as "Animating the carbon cycle" (ACC), is probably the best nature-based climate solution available to mankind.

Wild animal populations play a critical role controlling the carbon cycle in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems through a wide range of processes. The new paper presents data which shows that protecting or restoring populations of nine wildlife species (or groups of species) - marine fish, whales, sharks, grey wolf, wildebeest, sea otter, musk ox, African forest elephants, and American bison - could collectively facilitate the additional capture of 6.41 billion tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO2) annually. This is more than 95% of the amount needed every year (6.5 GtCO2) to meet the global target of removing 500 GtCO2 from the atmosphere by 2100, which would keep global warming below the 1.5oC threshold.

More on Marylandian

• Subject matter experts: Present your ideas at IISE Annual Conference 2027 in Louisville
• Ascendr Launches Atlas to Help University Research Offices Find and Assess Expertise
• Cummings Graduate Institute Celebrates New Doctor of Behavioral Health Graduates
• Visit London Appoints The SEO Works for AI-First Search Strategy
• Inglewood Associates and Gordon Brothers Provide Update on Sale Process for 925 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland

"Allowing key animal species to reach ecologically meaningful densities as part of dynamic landscapes and seascapes would probably shorten the time taken to reach the 500 GtCO2 target," says the Yale School of the Environment's Professor Oswald Schmitz, lead author of the paper.

"Taking key wildlife species and the potentially game-changing impact of ACC into account, the time has come for a paradigm shift in how we mobilise nature for the benefit of climate and society," says Dr Magnus Sylvén, Director of Science-Policy-Practice at the Global Rewilding Alliance and co-author of the paper.

- ENDS -

Notes for Editors

The Global Rewilding Alliance
The Alliance is a network of currently 130+ organisations working across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, North America and globally to rewild more than 100 million hectares of land and sea in 90+ countries.

Contact Magnus Sylvén: magnus@wild.org  / + 41 78 629 75 11