The Road to 30
How conserving 30 percent of the United States’ lands and waters can protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and benefit all Americans
In this report, we explore some — but certainly not all — of the methods of land conservation that will be integral to achieving the 30x30 goal. Along the way we explore some of the places that have already been protected, celebrating past conservation efforts and considering how to move forward to protect our lands, waters, wildlife, and the communities that rely on them.
What is the 30x30 goal and why do we need to reach it?
Across America, natural areas that we rely on for clean air and water, biodiversity, outdoor recreation, and local economies are disappearing. In the United States, a football field worth of natural area is converted by human development every 30 seconds. From habitat fragmentation to the widespread impacts of climate change, lands and waters throughout the country are being lost to development and degradation every day. To combat this crisis, scientists are urging that we conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030 — a goal that can help save nature, strengthen local economies, and improve public health.
Global biodiversity is collapsing, and scientists have shown that protecting and restoring natural areas is the most effective way to slow extinctions and retain resilient ecosystems. In the past few decades, animal populations have declined by 60 percent, and today more than one million species are at risk of extinction. Studies show that animal and plant abundance is much higher in protected areas, and conserving more land will allow species to respond to the changing climate.
The “30x30” goal is also key to solving the climate crisis. Forests and natural lands in the United States today draw out of the atmosphere and sequester the equivalent of more than 11 percent of the country’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Protecting and restoring additional land is key to ramping up climate action.
Addressing the biodiversity and climate crises through conserving lands and waters will benefit local economies, access to outdoor recreation, and environmental justice. From hunters and anglers to hikers and paddlers, outdoor recreation is the lifeblood of many rural communities across the country. The $887 billion industry supports thousands of jobs, and a community’s proximity to public land is correlated with higher per capita income and employment rates. Protecting more land can open up the millions of acres of public land that are inaccessible to the American public.
The 30x30 goal can work to right environmental injustices. Inclusive planning can ensure that protected areas involve the wishes of the local community, and adding parks and green spaces will benefit public health and access to nature. As we explore ways to reach the 30x30 goal we are reminded that protected and public lands are the traditional homelands of indigenous peoples. As the 30x30 effort moves forward, collaborative conservation led by indigenous communities will be essential to its success.
Currently, about 12 percent of American lands and 26 percent of American oceans are protected. The United States is uniquely positioned to meet the 30x30 goal. Nearly 60 percent of lands in the continental U.S. are still in a mostly natural condition or could be restored, making the U.S. one of the top five countries for retaining lands in their natural state. While we still have a ways to go, strong leadership and grassroots momentum are bringing us closer to the goal.
There is not just one path to conservation. Finding diverse and innovative ways to protect landscapes that support local communities and preserve the land’s specific values will be critical in achieving the 30x30 goal.
Click on the tiles below to learn more:
Hear more about the 30x30 goal from United States Senate sponsor Tom Udall and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Dr. Enric Sala:
Thanks for joining us along the Road to 30!
To learn more about the 30x30 effort, visit RoadTo30.org. You can also check out the American Nature Campaign; the Global Campaign for Nature; or many other resources including one page fact sheets, reports, and videos.
For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To learn more about the 30x30 goal and to participate in discussions about this bold vision, visit RoadTo30.org. Sign up for Look West to get daily public lands and energy news sent to your inbox, or subscribe to The Landscape.
