In an increasingly interconnected and fragile world, scientists and environmental experts are raising their voices with an urgent warning: the collapse of biodiversity is no longer just a secondary issue; it has overtaken the climate crisis as the primary threat to humanity and the planet. This phenomenon, driven by deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable exploitation, is threatening the ecosystems that sustain life as we know it. In this article, we explore the reasons behind this alarming priority and its global implications.
Experts Warn: Biodiversity in Total Collapse
Ecology and conservation biology experts have been monitoring the accelerating loss of species around the world for years, and now agree that we are facing an imminent collapse that threatens to irreversibly alter the planetary balance. According to recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), more than one million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction, a pace unprecedented in human history. This is not just a matter of losing "charismatic species" like tigers or elephants; it is about the disappearance of pollinators, soil microorganisms, and entire food chains that support agriculture and human health.
The collapse is accelerated by anthropogenic factors such as uncontrolled urbanization and intensive agriculture, which fragment habitats and reduce the natural resilience of ecosystems. In regions such as the Amazon or coral reefs, where biodiversity is richest, the rates of loss are alarming, with a 20-30% decline in just a few decades. Scientists warn that, without drastic interventions, this decline could lead to "tipping points," where recovery would be impossible, affecting not only flora and fauna but also the economic stability of nations dependent on natural resources.
Furthermore, the interconnectedness of biodiversity with other global systems amplifies the danger: the loss of mangroves and tropical forests, for example, weakens the planet's capacity to absorb carbon, exacerbating related problems. Experts from organizations such as WWF and the UN emphasize that ignoring this crisis is like demolishing the foundation of a house while trying to repair the roof. The urgency lies in the fact that, unlike the climate crisis, which offers some time to mitigate emissions, the collapse of biodiversity is more immediate and less reversible.
Overtakes Climate Crisis as Major Danger
Although the climate crisis dominates the headlines with its heat waves and intense storms, experts argue that the collapse of biodiversity poses a greater risk because it underpins all vital systems, including climate regulation itself. A study published in Nature by an international team reveals that ecosystem degradation has reduced CO2 absorption capacity by 15% since 1990, meaning that without healthy biodiversity, solutions to climate change will be ineffective. This dominance does not diminish the importance of global warming, but rather repositions it as a symptom of a deeper, more holistic problem.
The main reason biodiversity now tops the list of threats is its direct impact on food security and human health: extinct species like pollinating bees and bats could destroy entire harvests, while the loss of genetic diversity in plants and animals limits our ability to combat pests or develop new medicines. In contrast, the climate crisis, although devastating, allows for technological adaptations like renewable energy; biodiversity, on the other hand, requires active preservation before it's too late. Countries like Brazil and Australia already face local crises that illustrate this point, with tourism and fishing economies in ruins due to the massive death of coral reefs and rainforests.
Finally, experts call for a paradigm shift in global policies, prioritizing biodiversity on agendas like the UN COP, where climate has traditionally overshadowed other issues. This re-prioritization is not alarmism, but a call to action based on scientific evidence: if we do not reverse the tide of extinctions, climate change will be just one of many disasters on an impoverished and uninhabitable Earth. Humanity must recognize that protecting diverse life is protecting our own future.
In short, the experts' warning could not be clearer: the collapse of biodiversity is a ticking time bomb that surpasses even climate change in severity and immediacy. It is time for governments, businesses, and citizens to act decisively, investing in conservation and changing consumption patterns to restore natural balance. Only then can we avoid a legacy of ecological emptiness and ensure a vibrant planet for future generations. The choice is in our hands; time is running out.
