Topic: Biodiversity Loss

Biodiversity Loss

Biodiversity loss describes the decreasing variety of species and ecosystems that survive on Earth. Biodiversity loss specifically due to human activity has been at an all-time high since 1955.

The United Nations climate action research has shared that biodiversity loss is the result of the destruction of habitats and ecocide, with an emphasis on the loss due to creation of food for humans. Studies have shown that food production globally has contributed to the greatest amount of biodiversity loss as a planet. Recent studies have shown that agriculture and food production have threatened 86% of all species, putting them at risk for extinction. The carbon footprint left by humans has the most significant effect on biodiversity, primarily from food production and housing, as well as transportation including cars. Studies have shared that food production makes up close to “30% of total human-produced emissions,” which contributes not only to our overall carbon footprint, but our cropland footprint as well since we use farming, grazing, and other techniques to produce our food.

Not only does food production and emissions directly contribute to biodiversity loss, but overall climate change as well. Millions of species are facing extinction and ecosystems like rainforests and coral reefs are severely threatened due to ocean temperatures rising and other effects on the planet due to climate change. The impacts of climate change on forests in particular causes a great deal of biodiversity loss. The Amazon rainforest, which has the greatest biodiversity among forests, is particularly affected by climate change. In turn, the biodiversity loss within large forests further increases global greenhouse gas emissions.

Initiatives like the Endangered Species Act, National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans, United Nations Protected Areas, Sustainable Development Goals, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework have attempted to counter biodiversity loss with national and global action plans.

©2024 ClimateLit (Maya Symonanis with later edits by Emily Midkiff)

Related terms. Biodiversity, Climate Change, Collective Action, Ecocide, Extinction, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Species Richness

Related literature items. David Attenborough: A Life on our Planet

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    Subtopics: Extinction

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    by Adam Gidwitz

    “Brand-new friend. Terrifying teacher. Mythical animal. Breaking and entering. First day at a new school.”

    by Yuval Noah Harari

    “Animals and plants depend on one another, so if something happens to one kind of creature, it usually influences many others. And this law even applies to you”

    by John Burningham

    “And the world became a better world.”

    Wilderness Wars

    by Barbara Henderson

    “We are destroying the habitats—the homes—of all these plants and animals … Nature, the wilderness, is fighting back.”

    by Jen Marlin

    “‘But why?’ asked Sofia. Her cheeks flushed hot. ‘Who would cut down a tree with chicks in it?’”

    by Jean Davies Okimoto

    “Ice is melting. We are losing our home. The time has come for action. This is no time for ease and comfort. It is the time to dare and endure.” Winston of Churchill: One Bear’s Battle Against Global Warming, written by Jean Davies Okimoto and illustrated by Jeremiah Trammell, is a children’s picture book that addresses climate change through the eyes of a polar bear named Winston living in Churchill, Canada, which is a real location known for polar bear sightings. The story follows Winston, a cigar-smoking polar bear, as he notices the ice melting and the serious impact that human activities have on the polar bears’ home. After realizing he too contributes to the problem, Winston gives up smoking cigars and encourages the other polar bears to take a stand against the tourists. Together, the polar bears hold a peaceful protest to urge humans to take action against global …

    World Without Fish

    by Mark Kurlansky

    “You cannot afford to be passive. … The survival of not only the oceans but of our world is at stake”