Biodiversity loss ‘threat to security’ – The Ecologist

Assessment of Ecosystem Collapse and National Security: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, a retired British Army officer and former defence services secretary, has emphasized the critical intersection of climate change, biodiversity loss, and national security. He advocates for a multidisciplinary approach involving diverse experts to evaluate how environmental changes impact national security capabilities.

Critical Ecosystem Regions and National Security

The recent assessment identifies six key ecosystem regions vital to the United Kingdom’s national security due to the potential scale, likelihood, and impact of their collapse:

1. Amazon Rainforest
2. Congo Basin
3. Coral Reefs and Mangroves in South East Asia
4. Himalaya
5. Boreal Forests of Russia and Canada

These ecosystems underpin global security and prosperity by supporting natural resources essential to human survival and economic stability, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Risks Associated with Ecosystem Degradation

• Displacement of millions due to ecosystem collapse, altering global weather patterns and increasing food and water scarcity (SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation).
• Increased migration driven by poverty and insecurity.
• Growth in serious and organized crime, including human trafficking and black markets exploiting scarce resources.
• Heightened opportunities for terrorist groups amid political instability.
• Elevated risk of pandemics due to biodiversity loss and increased zoonotic disease transmission (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being).
• Economic insecurity as finite natural assets are depleted (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Intensified geopolitical competition for arable land, productive waters, transit routes, and critical minerals.
• Political polarization and instability in regions facing food and water insecurity, exacerbated by natural disasters and disinformation.
• Increased likelihood of conflict and military escalation over resource competition.

Focus on the United Kingdom’s Food Security

The assessment highlights the vulnerability of the UK’s food security, which is heavily reliant on imports:

• 40% of food is imported, with over 25% sourced from Europe.
• Dependence on imports of fresh fruit, vegetables, sugar, and livestock feed such as soy from South America (18% of animal feed).
• Partial reliance on imported nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.

Achieving full food self-sufficiency under current dietary patterns would require:

• Substantial price increases for consumers.
• Improvements in efficiency, waste reduction, and resilience across the food system.
• Significant changes in consumer diets due to limited arable land.

This aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Need for Regenerative Agriculture and Innovation

The report stresses the necessity of greater investment in the agri-food sector to foster sustainable food production through innovation. Key threats to domestic food production include:

• Depleted soils
• Loss of pollinators
• Drought and flooding
• Climate change impacts

Technologies such as plant pre-breeding, regenerative agriculture, artificial intelligence, lab-grown protein, and insect protein could mitigate these challenges but require significant research and development.

Protecting and restoring ecosystems is identified as a more reliable and cost-effective strategy, supporting SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Underestimation of Risks and Urgency for Action

Experts warn that climate tipping points and ecosystem collapses pose profound risks to the UK’s national security and food systems. Historically, scientific warnings have underestimated rather than overestimated these threats.

Implications for Business and Society

Dr. Michael Burgass of Biodiversify highlights the severe societal and business consequences of ecosystem collapse. Sustainable business practices and ecosystem protection are essential to maintaining core systems and societal stability, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Government Response and Commitment

The UK government states that the assessment will inform long-term resilience planning domestically and internationally. Efforts will focus on protecting and restoring ecosystems that underpin global security, reinforcing commitments to transparency and informed decision-making.

The government also emphasizes the UK’s status as one of the most food-secure nations globally.

Conclusion

This assessment underscores the integral role of ecosystem health in national security and sustainable development. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across sectors, substantial investment in sustainable technologies, and adherence to the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure global stability and prosperity.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses food security challenges in the UK, reliance on food imports, and the need for sustainable agricultural practices.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action – Climate change impacts on ecosystems and national security are highlighted.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land – Ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse are central themes.
4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Water scarcity and insecurity are mentioned as risks arising from ecosystem collapse.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article links ecosystem degradation to increased conflict, political instability, and organized crime.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The need for cross-sector collaboration and government action to build resilience is implied.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2 Targets:
   • 2.1 – End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • 2.4 – Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 13 Targets:
   • 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • 13.2 – Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
3. SDG 15 Targets:
   • 15.1 – Ensure conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
   • 15.5 – Take urgent action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt biodiversity loss.
4. SDG 6 Targets:
   • 6.4 – Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.
   • 6.6 – Protect and restore water-related ecosystems.
5. SDG 16 Targets:
   • 16.1 – Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates.
   • 16.6 – Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions.
6. SDG 17 Targets:
   • 17.17 – Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Food Security Indicators:
   • Proportion of food imported versus domestically produced.
   • Price changes in food commodities affecting consumer access.
   • Levels of agricultural productivity and efficiency improvements.
2. Ecosystem Health Indicators:
   • Rates of ecosystem degradation or collapse in critical regions (Amazon, Congo basin, etc.).
   • Loss of pollinators and soil depletion metrics.
   • Biodiversity indices measuring species loss and habitat degradation.
3. Water Security Indicators:
   • Incidence of water scarcity and access to safe water.
4. National Security and Conflict Indicators:
   • Incidence of migration due to resource scarcity.
   • Rates of organized crime and political instability linked to resource competition.
   • Occurrences of conflict escalation related to ecosystem stress.
5. Climate Risk Indicators:
   • Frequency and severity of climate-related hazards affecting agriculture and ecosystems.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: theecologist.org