ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND LIVING STANDARDS

The environmental impacts of human industrialization and expansion have long been a source of debate. Of these, biodiversity loss is one whose effects on humans are difficult to quantify. In this paper, we attempt to outline the damaging effects a loss of biodiversity has on human health and wellbeing by evaluating increased rates of disease, crop failures, and infrastructure damage caused by disruptions in a healthy ecosystem. We further this discussion by providing the implications of biodiversity loss in developing nations with little to no defense against the damage caused. Despite being overshadowed by climate change - the overarching environmental crisis Earth is facing - we further discuss how controlling biodiversity loss can be key in combatting our warming climate as well, and thereby promoting human health and wellbeing indirectly as well.