Issue Area

Biodiversity

Overview

One million species are facing extinction according to the 2019 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services report, due to habitat destruction, overexploitation of wildlife, climate change, the introduction of invasive species, and pollution. The loss of biodiversity threatens human, environmental, and wildlife health by reducing ecosystem services such as zoonotic disease buffering, water filtration, pollination, soil replenishment, provisioning of game species, and recreational opportunities. Biodiversity loss also disproportionately affects people of color, low-income, and tribal communities who have been systematically targeted with harmful environmental policies and excluded from conservation efforts.

NCEL Point of Contact
Kate Burgess

Conservation Program Manager

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Key Facts

1 million species are threatened with extinction while 75% of all land and 66% of aquatic environments are being severely degraded.

Populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles have declined by an average of 68% with the US alone losing 3 billion birds since 1970.

The five main drivers of biodiversity loss are habitat destruction, overexploitation of wildlife, climate change, the introduction of invasive species, and pollution.

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Resources

NCEL Resources

Infographic

The Five Main Drivers of Wildlife Decline

May 21, 2021

Video

State Protection For Endangered Species

July 6, 2021

Infographic

The Facts of Wildlife Extinction

May 13, 2024

Online Resources

Biodiversity: Why It Matters

Blog by Defenders of Wildlife on why biodiversity matters

Go to resource
Federal Resolution on Establishing a National Biodiversity Strategy

Text of HR 69

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Summary for Policy Makers for the Assessment on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species

Report produced by IPBES

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Summary for Policy Makers for the Assessment on Values

Report produced by IPBES

Go to resource

Biodiversity and Environmental Justice

Marginalized and underserved communities across the globe are facing disproportionate threats from the loss of nature, and are leading efforts to conserve and restore biodiversity. Biodiversity solutions should center the perspectives and inclusion of tribal communities, low-income communities, people of color, and other marginalized groups.

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