Biodiversity Services

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?

Biodiversity is the term used to describe the incredible variety of life on our planet, encompassing the multitude of different organisms within a specific environment. It is estimated that there are approximately 8.7 million distinct species of plants and animals coexisting (National Geographic Society), highlighting the immense value we place on a diverse range of life. This is because each species and organism within an ecosystem work together harmoniously, creating a delicate balance and providing essential resources to humans, including a stable climate, clean water, nourishment, medicine, and shelter.

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Drivers and Pressures

KEY DRIVERS OF BIODIVERSTY LOSS

These factors contribute to habitat destruction, deforestation, and the loss of species. They pose a significant threat to plants, animals, and ecosystems worldwide. Addressing these drivers requires international cooperation, re-evaluating land and sea use, mitigating climate change, reducing pollution, and preventing the spread of invasive species. These efforts are crucial for protecting biodiversity and ensuring the health and sustainability of our natural environment.

HABITAT LOSS

Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, driven by industrial activities and agriculture, are major drivers of the biodiversity crisis.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The alteration of global climate patterns due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases, leads to rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and sea-level rise.

OVER-EXPLOITATION

This involves the unsustainable use of resources such as overfishing, illegal hunting, and logging. It depletes populations and disrupts ecosystems, leading to the loss of species and their habitats

POLLUTION

This includes air, water, and soil pollution caused by industrial activities, agricultural runoff, and waste disposal. Pollutants can directly harm species and their habitats, affecting their biodiversity.

INVASIVE SPECIES

Non-native species that are introduced to new environments can out-compete native species, disrupt ecosystems, and cause their decline or extinction.

Your Impact

THE NEED FOR A GLOBAL EFFORT

The climate change and biodiversity are not only environmental issues, but economic, development, security, social, moral, and ethical issues too. There is the need to see the world as a collection of interconnected systems. The onion sustainability model highlights the inter-dependencies of the three pillars of sustainability. Where both Economic and Social sustainability are dependent on the Environment. Accordingly, true sustainability can only be achieved when all three aspects are fulfilled and in-balance.

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Our future depends on addressing the current issue of diversity loss as much as it depends on addressing climate change. Accordingly, in 2015 all United Nations (UN) Member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These include 5 Planet Goals which focus on the preservation of biodiversity on Planet Earth. We all have a role to play in building a nature-positive society that safeguards the planet for the good health of everyone.