Cailin Nealon

Biodiversity
Article Summary I
February 5, 2011

The Threat of Biodiversity Loss

The United Nations News Service featured an article in September 2010 that
exclaimed “biodiversity loss is bankrupting the natural economy.” The author, Cleophas
Tsokodayi, includes the foreboding statements of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ki-
moon warned that ecosystems are our “natural capital” and “stressed that a loss of
biodiversity can lead to the failure of crops, a drop in profits, a deepening of poverty and
economic decline.” The article notes the Secretary-General’s urging of world leaders to
stop the decline of biodiversity in order to preserve nature as a “gift” for future
generations.
The UN estimated that the world will not meet its 2010 goal to reduce the damage
we are causing to our ecosystems. Despite increased funding to reverse the biodiversity
decline, its main causes remain a significant problem. The article includes “high
consumption rates, habitat loss, pollution and climate change” as main contributors to the
crisis. It appears there remains much to be done in regards to preserving crumbling
ecosystems and preventing the ever-growing number of endangered and extinct species.
Tsokodayi, Cleophas. “Biodiversity loss is bankrupting the natural economy.”
The Examiner. 22 September 2010. 5 February 2011.