Biodiversity Loss: Why Is It a Serious Problem?

Interview with Arthur Pivin, Louise Badoche

While the biodiversity crisis does not receive the same level of media and political attention as climate change, it is no less important.

In its 2019 report, IPBES (the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) estimates that approximately 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction, particularly over the coming decades, and warns of an unprecedented rate of species extinction. “The health of the ecosystems on which we depend, as well as that of all other species, is deteriorating faster than ever before. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, our livelihoods, food security, health, and quality of life around the world.”

Today, there is talk of a sixth mass extinction for which human activities are entirely responsible—and which, since we depend on biodiversity to survive, will have devastating consequences for our societies.

What is biodiversity loss, and why is it a cause for concern? What are the causes of this sixth mass extinction?

In this episode, Arthur Pivin, Manager and Co-Head of the Biodiversity Division at Carbone 4, answers our questions. This is the first episode in a three-part series that will provide an overview of the topic.

To learn more about this topic:

• The Global Assessment Report on BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES—Summary for Policymakers, IPBES: https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/2020-02/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers_fr.pdf
• The sixth mass extinction has already begun, National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/environnement/la-sixieme-extinction-massive-a-deja-commence
• Biodiversity and Climate: The Same Battle, CNRS News: https://lejournal.cnrs.fr/articles/biodiversite-et-climat-meme-combat
• BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE - What are the links between biodiversity and climate change? What solutions are available to limit climate change while halting the loss of biodiversity? Foundation for Biodiversity Research: https://www.fondationbiodiversite.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/FRB-fiche-ambassade-2.pdf

Check out all our resources: https://www.carbone4.com/resources

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Music: César Dugast

Voice: Louise Badoche

Graphic Design: Kevyn Bargue