Drivers of the Biodiversity Crisis: America at a Crossroads

Scientists are documenting an unprecedented decline in global biodiversity, mainly driven by human-related activities: land- and sea-use change, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and overexploitation. Although science has helped to identify the major threats at a global scale, there are gaps in our understanding of their potential impact in the United States.

Defenders of Wildlife’s Center for Conservation Innovation examined the threat that these global drivers pose to U.S. species listed under the Endangered Species Act and some of the areas on which they rely.

Read about our first-of-its-kind report that maps out the five drivers of the biodiversity crisis in the U.S.

In partnership with leading academic institutions and conservation organizations, Defenders of Wildlife is conducting a national series of virtual symposiums in select states to give increased visibility to the biodiversity crisis, generate awareness about its leading drivers, highlight hopeful efforts underway to address its causes, and inspire additional action to address the challenge.