Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history. This has resulted in a substantial loss in the diversity of life on Earth. It is time to integrate in our models the interaction with ecosystems and our impact on biodiversity.
Facts
Agriculture – 24% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface is cultivated More
Ecosystems – 60% degradation of ecosystem services like fresh water, capture fisheries, air and water purification, climate regulation More
Coral reefs – 20% of the world’s coral reefs lost and an additional 20% degraded More
Challenges
Ecosystem services – Degradation impacting food, medicines, clean water, climate stability, pollination, disease-control, food-chain stability, cultural diversity and oxygen
Insights & Opportunities
Accounting for deforestation – The costs of forest ecosystem services lost due to deforestation in China were estimated to US$ 12 billion per annum over the period from 1950 to 1998 More
Tools – Initiatives are underway to provide a framework for improving corporate decision-making through valuing ecosystem services More