By Suzanne York.

It should come as no surprise that consumption is killing the planet.

A recent study, published in Nature, found that consumption in wealthy countries is responsible for 13% of global forest loss beyond their borders. This has been driven by globalization, which “increasingly allows countries to externalize the environmental costs of land use, including biodiversity loss.”

From the research:

International trade creates a complex global landscape of potential environmental leakage, and policies that aim to protect natural and seminatural ecosystems at a local or national scale may inadvertently shift harm to other places. Our lack of knowledge about how these processes operate at the species level also hinders our understanding of global patterns of biodiversity loss and the effects of economic development, international trade and biogeography on biodiversity loss at all scales.

The Extinction Crisis

The global extinction crisis, often referred to as the Sixth Mass extinction, is characterized by an alarming rate of species loss primarily driven by human activities. This ongoing crisis poses significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem stability, which also has profound implications for human survival.

The primary drivers of this extinction crisis include:

Habitat Loss: The most significant threat to species, largely due to agricultural expansion and urbanization.

Climate Change: Altering habitats and exacerbating conditions that threaten species survival, such as increased droughts and flooding.

Pollution: Contaminants affecting ecosystems and species health, including plastic pollution.

Population Growth and Consumption/Resource Exploitation: Unsustainable consumption patterns leading to habitat degradation and resource depletion.

Invasive Species: Non-native species disrupting local ecosystems and outcompeting native species.

The authors of the Nature study say leakage could be reduced if there was less demand for high-footprint commodities such as beef. Conservation efforts should also target the most biodiverse areas, as well as areas where the potential for food production or timber is limited. There is also the potential for conservationists to work with farmers, such as creating forest-friendly chocolate or herding practices that also protect snow leopards, according to the paper.

Potential Solutions

Addressing the extinction crisis requires a multifaceted approach:

Conservation Efforts: Protecting habitats and implementing sustainable land-use practices can mitigate some impacts of human activity.

Public Awareness and Education: Increasing understanding of biodiversity’s importance can drive conservation efforts at local and global levels.

Sustainable Practices: Transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices can reduce habitat destruction while maintaining food security, including agroecology.

Reproductive Health & Rights: Advocating for policies that support voluntary family planning services and reproductive rights can help alleviate pressure on ecosystems.

Reduced Consumption: Humanity must reduce overconsumption and end dependence on throw away items, especially plastics.

Lastly, recognizing rights of nature would be the biggest game-changer for the planet.  There can be no lasting change until we alter how we interact with the natural world.

The global extinction crisis represents a profound challenge that intertwines ecological health with human survival. Immediate action is necessary to halt the accelerating loss of biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for all species on Earth. We can’t simply look to techno fixes and hope things will be better in the future.  We must act today, before the world we take for granted disappears.

We believe in the delicate connection between the planet and humanity, the intricate web of life, and the concept of one health.

Suzanne York is Director of Transition Earth.