Threats of Ecosystem Collapse

The world's ecosystems are significantly threatened by pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change, natural resource consumption, and socioeconomic factors. According to the World Economic Forum, half of the world's economic production is considered moderately to highly reliant upon nature, and the collapse of ecosystems will not only lead to irreversible ecological damage but also catastrophic economic and societal outcomes. Potential consequences include increased frequency of zoonotic diseases, heightened water stress, worsening struggles over dwindling resources, decreases in crop yields and nutritional values, and loss of natural flood protection systems.

No single strategy will solve or reduce climate change effects on its own. Regenerative food systems, sustainable production and consumption patterns, conservation, and climate and hazard mitigation approaches that benefit nature are important to keep from reaching ecosystem tipping points. Planners need to be aware of these threats within their communities and help cultivate resilient and supportive infrastructure, tools, and data to help avoid ecological collapse and the destruction of vital natural resources.