Explainer: Can climate change and biodiversity loss be tackled together?

Jul 21, 2022

Climate change and biodiversity loss are already compounding one another. Image: Unsplash/Zdeněk Macháček

Daisy Dunne

Science Writer, Carbon Brief

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Climate Change

Both climate change and biodiversity loss are already causing severe impacts for people. Image: Reuters / Alamy Stock Photo

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— Dr Nathalie Pettorelli

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— Dr Charlie Outhwaite

critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros Ujung Kulon National Park Indonesia biodiversity loss

Biodiversity loss has occurred since the dawn of human civilisation. In picture: critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros. Image: Minden Pictures / Alamy Stock Photo

Human activities altered Earth’s land surface biodiversity loss mangroves deforestation

Human activities have already altered 70% of the Earth’s land surface, but this biodiversity loss has consequences for people. Image: Oliver S. – Madagascar General / Alamy Stock Photo

The global challenge of biodiversity loss is defined by large geographic and economic disparities. Image: Phillips et al. (2022)

Humans are responsible for driving both climate change and biodiversity loss. Image: Jim West / Alamy Stock Photo

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— Prof Katharine Hayhoe

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— Prof Katharine Hayhoe

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— Prof Hans-Otto Poertner

Koala being treated for injuries caused by bushfire in Melbourne, 2020.

Biodiversity faces risks from increases in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. Image: Xinhua / Alamy Stock Photo

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— Dr Peter Soroye

Mass coral bleaching at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in 2022 biodiversity loss

The most recent coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef affected 91% of it. Image: Australian Government

Golden Toad (extinct) Costa Rica biodiversity loss

Climate change has played a role in the extinction of the golden toad in Costa Rica. Image: Johner Images / Alamy Stock Photo

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— Dr Alex Pigot

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— Dr Alex Pigot

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— Prof Pete Smith

Toco Toucan in the Pantanal, Brazil. biodiversity loss

The poaching of iconic species can have an impact on an ecosystem’s ability to store carbon. Image: Marie Llewellyn / Alamy Stock Photo

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— Dr Alex Pigot

Conserving natural eco-systems could come with benefits for both climate change and biodiversity loss. Image: IPCC-IPBES (2021)

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— Prof Hans-Otto Poertner

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— Dr Nathalie Pettorelli

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— Prof Pete Smith

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— Prof Pete Smith

Discover

How is the World Economic Forum fighting the climate crisis?

BECCS could risk worsening biodiversity loss further by taking up large areas of land, if poorly implemented. Image: Nature Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo

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— Prof Pete Smith

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— Dr Alex Pigot

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— Prof Pete Smith

Flock of barnacle geese in front of wind turbines in Germany.

Rapid rollout of renewable power could also pose a risk to biodiversity. Image: Arterra Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo

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— Dr Sebastian Dunnett

Have you read?

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— Elizabeth Maruma Mrema

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— Elizabeth Maruma Mrema

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— Elizabeth Maruma Mrema

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— Li Shuo

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— Li Shuo

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