‘A biodiversity catastrophe’: how the world could look in 2050 – unless we act now

The continued destruction of nature across the planet will result in major shocks to food supplies and safe water, the disappearance of unique species and the loss of landscapes central to human culture and leisure by the middle of this century, experts have warned.

By 2050, if humanity does not follow through on commitments to tackle the five main drivers of nature loss critical natural systems could break down just as the human population is projected to peak.

The Guardian asked leading scientists, Indigenous leaders and conservationists around the world about the consequences of inaction on biodiversity loss by the middle of this century. Despite 1 million plant and animal species at risk of extinction, and in the face of wildfires, floods and extreme weather intensifying due to the climate crisis, nature conservation is increasingly becoming a part of the culture wars raging in many countries, which have spurred opposition to many environmental policies.

Not taking action by the middle of the century may result in extinctions, the rapid spread of invasive species (often bringing new diseases), plastic pollution on a vast scale, crashing fish populations and disappearing forests, experts from every continent have warned.

More than a quarter of all plant and animal species that have had in-depth conservation assessments are at risk of extinction, according to the IUCN red list.

“It fills me with pain to watch the never-ending destruction of natural ecosystems in my home country –

Brazil,” said Alexandre Antonelli, director of science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. “From the Amazonian and Atlantic rainforests to the Cer

Cropland is covered by sand in Ambovombe, Madagascar. Four years of drought, the worst in decades, along with deforestation caused by people cutting down trees for charcoal and to open up land for farming, have transformed the area into a dust bowl. Photograph: OCHA/Reuters

Water hyacinth is an invasive species native to South America that was introduced to Africa as ornamental plant. It has since choked many waterways, such as Lake Victoria, but is now being used as an animal food supplement. Photograph: James Oatway/Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation