Protecting Karst Advances the SDGs  

Education and training on the fragility of karst geoecosystems are essential for their sustainable protection. Many protected areas and show caves contribute to quality education, but learning should go beyond these sites — integrating karst awareness into schools, universities, and community programs to foster a broader culture of conservation and responsible resource use. 

Karst covers about 20% of Earth's land surface and supplies 10% of the world's population with water!
Yet karst aquifers are the most vulnerable to contamination and transport pollutants large distances through complex flowpaths with effectively no filtration. Achieving clean water and sanitation, is impossible if we ignore karst systems. Their unique combination of providing a major water source while being exceptionally vulnerable demands extra care.

Karst areas, especially those formed in limestone and gypsum, are under severe threat from mining and construction. There is almost no recycling of these materials, leading to unsustainable extraction and landscape degradation. To support responsible consumption and production, circular economy strategies must include the recycling and reuse of rocks to reduce pressure on fragile karst environments.

Karst geocosystems are rarely recognized in climate action discussions, despite their sensitivity to climate change. Subterranean fauna are especially vulnerable, as even slight environmental changes can threaten their survival. Unlike surface species, underground organisms cannot migrate to cooler habitats, making it uncertain how they will adapt to rising temperatures and shifting hydrological conditions.