By MIAH STRINGER
Staff Writer
According to an analysis published by the Swiss Re index, one-fifth of the world’s countries are at risk of an ecosystem collapse due to loss of various wildlife and their habitats. From keeping our water drinkable to cleaning our air, natural ecosystems provide abundantly for human beings. Countries around the world have to be reliant on their ecosystems for these reasons as well as many other factors, including flood protection, food provision, and countless more. With the loss of biodiversity, this leaves these ecosystems vulnerable, which as a result, leaves the health and stability of communities and the economies at risk.
While some countries may have the resources to handle the consequences of an ecosystem collapse, others do not. Primarily, developing countries like Kenya, Indonesia, or Nigeria with heavy dependence on the ecosystems are the most vulnerable.
So, what can be done? First, countries need to protect natural ecosystems. Protecting natural ecosystems will solve many problems that result from loss of biodiversity. For example, restoration along the coast of Louisiana is expected to reduce flood costs by 3.5 billion annually. Not only will protecting natural ecosystems benefit economies, it will also help protect the Earth that we live on.