Biological diversity underpins many natural systems that are essential for human health and well-being.
Depletion of natural resources, pollution, invasive species, climate change, ocean acidification, and habitat degradation are just some of the human-driven (anthropogenic) factors driving biodiversity loss. According to the World Wildlife Fund’s 2024 Living Planet report, the average size of monitored wildlife populations has shrunk by 73% over the 50 year period between 1970 and 2020. Approximately one million species are facing the threat of extinction—which reflects a dramatic acceleration in the past century.
Biodiversity loss at this scale places at risk nature’s contributions to people, also known as ecosystem services. This includes
regulating contributions (e.g., water purification and climate regulation),
material contributions (e.g., use as medicine, food, energy, etc.), and
non-material contributions (e.g., as a source of inspiration).
Among many examples of the health consequences of biodiversity loss, pollinator decline has been linked toincreased disease and death due to deterioration of healthy food consumption. In turn, unsustainable global food systems have put 83% of species at risk of extinction. In addition, destruction of biodiverse regions has been linked to increased risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases. It is also important to note the mental health impacts of biodiversity loss. “Ecological grief – a sense of distress related to environmental loss – is a growing threat to psychosocial wellbeing.”
Photograph by Eric Kronstadt
“Healthy biodiversity is the essential infrastructure that supports all forms of life on earth, including human life. It also provides nature-based solutions to many of the most critical environmental, economic, and social challenges that we face as human society, including climate change, sustainable development, health, and water and food security.”
Dr. Cristiana Paşca Palmer
Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, (CBD)
Reconciling crop production, climate action and nature conservation in Europe by agricultural intensification and extensification. Nature Communications.
Rising Epidemic of Chronic Diseases in Animals: A Growing Concern
Animal scientists are developing surveillance and management methods for chronic diseases in animals, bridging the gaps between veterinary science, ecology and public health.
The economic, agricultural, and food security repercussions of a wild pollinator collapse in Europe. Nature Communicatons.
Despite the threats to the food system created by biodiversity loss, conservation efforts face significant opposition. This study found that the loss of wild pollinators in Europe would lead to increases in crop failures by as much as 10.3%, among other threats to food availability.
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Research & Reports
Feuerbacher, A., Kempen, M., Steidle, J.L.M., et al.
Climate and Health Strategies Must Address the Biodiversity Crisis. Stat 10.
Biodiversity is critical to health, underpinning the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the stability of ecosystems. This piece calls for the health community to treat climate change and biodiversity loss as one indivisible global health emergency.
