In the News: Report Highlights Importance of Biodiversity

A study presented to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity argues that recent spikes in commodity and food prices are partly attributed to the world’s loss of biodiversity. The report estimates the annual cost of damage to land-based ecosystems by pollution, deforestation and other causes at nearly $80 billion. European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas – who blames much of the loss on climate change – says the study proves that biodiversity is not just about saving species but is also crucial to preserving natural wealth.

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