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Threats to biodiversity and health

Biodiversity underpins all life on Earth. Recent studies point out that biodiversity has declined at an alarming rate in the past years, largely as a result of human activity. The loss of biodiversity can have significant impacts on human health if we do not guarantee that the ecosystem services it provides are protected. 

Biodiversity loss has many consequences, not only for the environment but also for human beings. These consequences span economic disruption to zoological pandemics and human alienation from the natural world. Our current trajectory of habitat alteration and destruction is putting thousands of species in danger of extinction. 

• Land degradation affects soil and water, which are fundamental to food production
• Imbalances in ecosystems can lead to the emergence of pests that damage crops.
• Limit discovery of potential treatments for many diseases and health problems.

"As we degrade ecosystems, the risk of future pandemics increases." 

David Cooper, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Reversing biodiversity loss and ensuring the longevity of human health and well-being requires collective action and efforts from all segments of society. Important opportunities for reversing biodiversity loss include establishing effectively managed protected and conserved areas and engaging in ecosystem restoration.