1/  Biodiversity encompasses the entire variety of life on Earth, including all species of plants, fungi, and animals, their genetic variations, and the complex ecosystems they inhabit. It is not limited to rare or threatened species but includes the whole of the natural world, from the commonplace to the critically endangered.**https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/what-biodiversity**

2/ According to the WWF's Living Planet Report 2022, monitored wildlife populations have declined by an average of 69% between 1970 and 2018. https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/embargo_13_10_2022_lpr_2022_full_report_single_page_1.pdf

In the UK, data from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme indicates that more than half of Britain's 59 native butterfly species are in long-term decline, with 2024 being the fifth worst year for butterfly numbers since records began in 1976. Globally, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) reports that approximately 100 million hectares of tropical forest were lost between 1980 and 2000, primarily due to cattle ranching and palm oil plantations. Furthermore, up to one million plant and animal species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, due to human activities.https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/05/nature-decline-unprecedented-report/

3/ Biodiversity is essential for life, providing oxygen, clean water, and food. The loss of species disrupts food chains and ecosystems, affecting agriculture through the decline of pollinators and impacting medicine by reducing the availability of plant-based remedies. It also plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental risks and maintaining ecological balance.

4/ Addressing these challenges requires actions aimed at protecting biodiversity by preventing its degradation and loss. This includes implementing conservation strategies, restoring natural habitats, and promoting sustainable practices to ensure the health and diversity of life on our planet.