Economic Factors Underlying Biodiversity Loss

Dasgupta, Partha; Levin, Simon A.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.4372379

Cited by 9 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…We have outlined a framework for detecting and attributing biodiversity change. The challenge of understanding the nature and causes of biodiversity change is one of the greatest facing science and society, and clear robust answers are essential to serve the increasing societal demands for actions that reverse current biodiversity trends while maximizing social and economic benefits [30]. We believe this framework contributes to ongoing efforts to expand the scale and investment in biodiversity change assessments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An important feature of this framework is the need to ensure standards that maximize confidence as information is transferred from step to step and guide analytical choices away from those that produce low confidence. We close by outlining how a framework for detecting biodiversity change with an objective of attribution for policy action should guide monitoring to provide data as input into biodiversity models and scenario-based projections of future outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystem change impacts on the economy and human wellbeing [30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A framework for the detection and attribution of biodiversity change

Gonzalez

Chase

O’Connor

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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The causes of biodiversity change are of great scientific interest and central to policy efforts aimed at meeting biodiversity targets. Changes in species diversity and high rates of compositional turnover have been reported worldwide. In many cases, trends in biodiversity are detected, but these trends are rarely causally attributed to possible drivers. A formal framework and guidelines for the detection and attribution of biodiversity change is needed. We propose an inferential framework to guide detection and attribution analyses, which identifies five steps—causal modelling, observation, estimation, detection and attribution—for robust attribution. This workflow provides evidence of biodiversity change in relation to hypothesized impacts of multiple potential drivers and can eliminate putative drivers from contention. The framework encourages a formal and reproducible statement of confidence about the role of drivers after robust methods for trend detection and attribution have been deployed. Confidence in trend attribution requires that data and analyses used in all steps of the framework follow best practices reducing uncertainty at each step. We illustrate these steps with examples. This framework could strengthen the bridge between biodiversity science and policy and support effective actions to halt biodiversity loss and the impacts this has on ecosystems. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Detecting and attributing the causes of biodiversity change: needs, gaps and solutions’.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for the detection and attribution of biodiversity change

Gonzalez

Chase

O’Connor

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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“…Three perspectives in this issue, Dasgupta & Levin [42], Salomon et al [43], and Achieng et al . [44] remind us that humanity is inseparably embedded in nature.…”

Section: Contributions Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dasgupta & Levin [42] argue that contemporary economic thinking which guides our major global policies is based on an unsound understanding of the finiteness of our planet's natural resources. This perspective ignores the growing exposure of our economy to the risks of unsustainable biodiversity loss and loss of natural capital and the benefits society accrued from it.…”

Section: Contributions Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Detecting and attributing the causes of biodiversity change: needs, gaps and solutions

Tekwa

Gonzalez

Zurell

et al. 2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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This issue addresses the multifaceted problems of understanding biodiversity change to meet emerging international development and conservation goals, national economic accounting and diverse community needs. Recent international agreements highlight the need to establish monitoring and assessment programmes at national and regional levels. We identify an opportunity for the research community to develop the methods for robust detection and attribution of biodiversity change that will contribute to national assessments and guide conservation action. The 16 contributions of this issue address six major aspects of biodiversity assessment: connecting policy to science, establishing observation, improving statistical estimation, detecting change, attributing causes and projecting the future. These studies are led by experts in Indigenous studies, economics, ecology, conservation, statistics, and computer science, with representations from Asia, Africa, South America, North America and Europe. The results place biodiversity science in the context of policy needs and provide an updated roadmap for how to observe biodiversity change in a way that supports conservation action via robust detection and attribution science. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Detecting and attributing the causes of biodiversity change: needs, gaps and solutions’

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Earth at risk: An urgent call to end the age of destruction and forge a just and sustainable future

Fletcher,

Ripple,

Newsome

et al. 2024

PNAS Nexus

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Human development has ushered in an era of converging crises: climate change, ecological destruction, disease, pollution, and socioeconomic inequality. This review synthesizes the breadth of these interwoven emergencies and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, integrated action. Propelled by imperialism, extractive capitalism, and a surging population, we are speeding past Earth's material limits, destroying critical ecosystems, and triggering irreversible changes in biophysical systems that underpin the Holocene climatic stability which fostered human civilization. The consequences of these actions are disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations, further entrenching global inequities. Marine and terrestrial biomes face critical tipping points, while escalating challenges to food and water access foreshadow a bleak outlook for global security. Against this backdrop of Earth at risk, we call for a global response centered on urgent decarbonization, fostering reciprocity with nature, and implementing regenerative practices in natural resource management. We call for the elimination of detrimental subsidies, promotion of equitable human development, and transformative financial support for lower income nations. A critical paradigm shift must occur that replaces exploitative, wealth-oriented capitalism with an economic model that prioritizes sustainability, resilience, and justice. We advocate a global cultural shift that elevates kinship with nature and communal well-being, underpinned by the recognition of Earth’s finite resources and the interconnectedness of its inhabitants. The imperative is clear: to navigate away from this precipice, we must collectively harness political will, economic resources, and societal values to steer toward a future where human progress does not come at the cost of ecological integrity and social equity.

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Economic Factors Underlying Biodiversity Loss

Cited by 9 publications

References 32 publications

A framework for the detection and attribution of biodiversity change

A framework for the detection and attribution of biodiversity change

Detecting and attributing the causes of biodiversity change: needs, gaps and solutions

Earth at risk: An urgent call to end the age of destruction and forge a just and sustainable future

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