National Academies Press: OpenBook

Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter (2022)

Chapter: Front Matter

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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“Biodiversity is the totality of all inherited variation in the life forms of Earth, of which we are one species. We study and save it to our great benefit. We ignore and degrade it to our great peril.”

E. O. Wilson, American biologist, naturalist, and writer

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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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BIODIVERSITY AT RISK

Today’s Choices Matter

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Committee on Developing a Booklet on Biodiversity for
the Public and Policy Makers

Board on Life Sciences

Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources

Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate

Board on Environmental Sciences and Toxicology

Institute for Laboratory Animal Research

Ocean Studies Board

Division on Earth and Life Studies

A Consensus Study Report of

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THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
Washington, DC
www.nap.edu

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS | 500 Fifth Street, NW | Washington, DC 20001

This activity was supported by the National Academy of Sciences’ Biology and Biotechnology Fund, the National Academy of Sciences’ Frank Press Fund for Dissemination and Outreach, and the National Academy of Sciences’ K.W. Kellogg Foundation Fund. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization or agency that provided support for the project.

International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-27307-7
International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-27307-2
Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.17226/26384

This publication is available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313; http://www.nap.edu.

Copyright 2022 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

Suggested citation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022.
Biodiversity at Risk: Today’s Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26384.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president.

The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president.

The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine.

Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.nationalacademies.org.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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Consensus Study Reports published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine document the evidence-based consensus on the study’s statement of task by an authoring committee of experts. Reports typically include findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on information gathered by the committee and the committee’s deliberations. Each report has been subjected to a rigorous and independent peer-review process and it represents the position of the National Academies on the statement of task.

Proceedings published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine chronicle the presentations and discussions at a workshop, symposium, or other event convened by the National Academies. The statements and opinions contained in proceedings are those of the participants and are not endorsed by other participants, the planning committee, or the National Academies.

For information about other products and activities of the National Academies, please visit www.nationalacademies.org/about/whatwedo.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPING A BOOKLET ON BIODIVERSITY FOR THE PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS

Ann M. Bartuska (Chair), U.S. Department of Agriculture (retired)

Kamaljit S. Bawa, University of Massachusetts Boston and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment

Lee Berger, University of Melbourne

Júlio César Bicca-Marques, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Suchana Chavanich, Chulalongkorn University

Sandra Díaz (NAS), Argentina National Scientific and Technical Research Council and Córdoba National University

Edson Gandiwa, Chinhoyi University of Technology

Virginia Gewin, Independent Journalist

Rosemary Gillespie, University of California, Berkeley

Jane Lubchenco (NAS),* Oregon State University

Yadvinder Malhi, University of Oxford

Nyawira Muthiga, Wildlife Conservation Society

Peter H. Raven (NAS),** Missouri Botanical Garden

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Staff

April Melvin, Senior Program Officer, Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate

Nancy Huddleston, Director, Communications/Media, Division on Earth and Life Studies

Fran Sharples, Advisor, Board on Life Sciences

Kossana Young, Communications Assistant, Division on Earth and Life Studies

Anne Frances Johnson, Contractor

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* Co-chair, resigned from the committee March 2021.

** Co-chair until February 2021, resigned from the committee August 2021.

Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This Consensus Study Report was reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in making each published report as sound as possible and to ensure that it meets the institutional standards for quality, objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process.

We thank the following individuals for their review of this report:

Although these reviewers provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions and recommendations nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Gene E. Robinson (NAS/NAM), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and James P. Collins, University of Arizona. They were responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments received full consideration. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the National Academies.

The committee thanks Jane Lubchenco and Peter Raven for their contribution and leadership during the early stages of development.

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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
×

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“All people—living in ancient or modern times, in luxury or destitution, in mega-cities or vast hinterlands—depend intimately and utterly on nature. Through the microbiome inhabiting our body, the nature in local parks and farms, and exotic forests and underwater realms across the world, we are all deeply embedded within the web of life. This extremely subtle and extensive net of relationships sustains and fulfills us, providing the material basics of nutrition, health, and security to ethereal senses of attachment, beauty, and spirit.”*

Gretchen C. Daily, biodiversity expert, Stanford University

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* From commentary in reference to Dasgupta, P. 2021. The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review. London, UK: HM Treasury.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26384.
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Biodiversity at Risk: Today's Choices Matter Get This Book
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A growing body of evidence has sounded the alarm that the biodiversity that supports and sustains life on Earth is at risk. Habitat destruction, resource exploitation, and climate change are among the many stressors that have put 1 million species under threat of extinction and sharply reduced the populations of many plant and animal species. While researchers and global leaders ramp up efforts to address this existential threat, the significance of species loss and the value of preserving biodiversity is not widely recognized by policy makers or the public. This booklet, produced by an international committee of experts, provides a publicly accessible overview of the many dimensions of biodiversity and why it's vital to the health of all life on the planet. The booklet also examines the causes of biodiversity loss and presents actions that can be taken from the individual to the global level to stop this decline.

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