The abusive and unsustainable use of natural resources not only harms the health of the planet, it also wipes out entire species so that they disappear for ever. The frenetic loss of biodiversity means that a million plants and animals are currently under threat.

Species endangerment and extinction have three major anthropogenic causes—overhunting or overharvesting; introduction of nonnative species, including the spread of disease; and habitat degradation or loss.

Over 99 % of organisms that used to live on earth do not exist any more. In general terms, species become extinct for the following reasons:

Demographic and Genetic Phenomena

First of all, species with small populations face a greater risk of extinction. Also, natural selection does its job by keeping beneficial genetic traits and eliminating poor ones. There are animals with a good gene pool that is robust and more adaptable to unforeseen exogenous circumstances, and others that are weaker.

Destruction of Wild Habitats

Man is a direct cause of the extinction of species: out of the 8 million existing, 1 million are in danger due to overexploitation of resources on land and at sea. In addition, one fifth of the surface of the Earth has been degraded —the forests are home to over 80 % of terrestrial species— and marine debris  and acidification are wreaking havoc in the oceans.

Introduction of Invasive Species

The introduction of exotic and invasive species artificially, intentionally or accidentally into habitats where they do not belong can also alter the biodiversity of ecosystems. These new inhabitants displace the native species, which, in the worst cases, die and become extinct. According to the UN, in Europe, one out of every three species is in danger of extinction for this reason.

Climate Change

The rising global temperature and sea levels  have a negative effect on biodiversity. According to the WWF, half of the plant and animal species in the richest natural areas of the world could suffer local extinction by the end of the century due to climate change. Even without exceeding the 2 °C limit set by the Paris Agreement 25 % of their species could disappear.

Hunting and Illegal Trafficking

The black market, which moves between €8 billion and €20 billion a year, threatens over 300 species that are already on the verge of extinction. According to the World Wildlife Crime Report, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), over 30,000 elephants, 100 tigers and 1,000 rhinoceroses are slaughtered each year.