Halting and reversing the global decline in biodiversity is now urgent to avoid destabilizing the Earth’s vital systems that support human well-being. That’s the stark message of a new paper published today in Frontiers in Science.   

Co-author Dr. Raina K. Plowright, Rudolf J. and Katharine L. Steffen Professor of Veterinary Medicine in the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health said: “Global policies to protect intact nature and restore damaged ecosystems should be prioritized to the same extent as climate action under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals for human development. 

“Prioritizing nature is essential for reducing the infectious disease spread and protecting human health globally. It is the only practical way to ensure that the 21st century progresses toward health, peace, prosperity, stability, and natural beauty.”  

Read the full press release from Frontiers in Science here.