The World’s Poor
Human activities are causing an extreme loss of diversity on earth. We are transforming landscapes, exploiting resources, and profoundly altering our planet. The places where this is most evident are in developing countries. However, ecotourism is helping to preserve biodiversity, and, when implemented and managed properly, can actually help poorer countries with economic development.
Persistent extreme poverty and biodiversity loss appear linked: extreme poverty and biodiversity hot spots often occur in the same geographic area; rural livelihoods are dependent on the natural resources of forests, rangelands, soils, water, and wildlife. In poorer countries, many of the world’s poor rely on local biodiversity for their everyday needs. For example, local wildlife may be a major source of food. Or, take the local water stream, people rely on that water for many needs, such as cleaning and drinking water.
Persistent extreme poverty and biodiversity loss appear linked: extreme poverty and biodiversity hot spots often occur in the same geographic area; rural livelihoods are dependent on the natural resources of forests, rangelands, soils, water, and wildlife. In poorer countries, many of the world’s poor rely on local biodiversity for their everyday needs. For example, local wildlife may be a major source of food. Or, take the local water stream, people rely on that water for many needs, such as cleaning and drinking water.
Quick Facts:
- A person from a poor country is 79 times as likely to be affected by a climate change related disaster than a person from a rich country.
- 80% of Africans rely on traditional medicine from plants and animals as their main source of healthcare needs.
- 8% of medicinal plants worldwide are threatened with extinction
- Nearly a 6th of the world’s population depend on protected natural areas for their livelihood.