What impact is the loss of biodiversity already having? Ocean life
• Overfishing, pollution and climate change are damaging the ocean’s biodiversity. • Two major contributors to ocean pollution are sewage and plastic waste. • Coral reefs are the nurseries of the oceans; they are biodiversity ‘hot spots’. On some tropical coral reefs, there can be 1,000 species per m² (about the same floorspace as your desk and chair take up).
• Rising acidity levels in oceans may make most regions of the ocean unliveable for coral reefs, affecting food security, biodiversity and tourism.
• Without significant changes, UNESCO reports that by the year 2100 more than half of the world’s marine species may stand on the brink of extinction. The blue whale and sea otter are thought to be critically endangered (at risk of extinction) already.
Insects
• Insects are among the toughest forms of life on the planet and have proved hugely successful in adapting and changing with their ecosystems in the past.
• Despite this, we are seeing massive declines in the numbers of certain types of insect, with some (many species of bee, for example) being pushed towards extinction.
• Since insects like bees and butterflies play a really important role in the pollination of plants and trees, a threat to them is a real threat to our systems of food production and sustainable farming.
