A new booklet from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provides an easy-to-read overview of biodiversity and why it is vital to the health of all life on the planet.

Biodiversity — the rich variety of living things that support and sustain life on Earth — is facing grave threats. One million species are now threatened with extinction, and species are disappearing at a rate that far exceeds any seen for millions of years.

The booklet, written by an international committee of experts and intended for policymakers and the public, examines the causes of biodiversity loss and presents actions that can be taken at all levels to stop this decline. Halting and reversing the biodiversity crisis will require systemic changes to the ways we build, farm, and live, the booklet says. Individual actions also have an important role to play, and the booklet outlines how individuals can change their habits to benefit biodiversity.

Members of the committee will discuss the booklet during a public webinar today at 3 p.m. EST.

DETAILS: Biodiversity at Risk: Today’s Choices Matter is available for immediate release. Media inquiries should be directed to the National Academies’ Office of News and Public Information; tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu.

Contact:
Megan Lowry, Media Officer
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu