How 'outsourcing' deforestation affects the world's biodiversity

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-02-13 03:00

Australia; International

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A new international study shows how consumption in economically developed countries is driving biodiversity loss around the world. US researchers calculated the 'deforestation footprints' of 24 economically developed countries from 2001 to 2015, based on the consumption and sources of products like beef and palm oil. On average, the international biodiversity loss caused by these countries was more than 15 times the local biodiversity loss they caused within their own borders, with the impact usually being worse for nearby countries. The researchers say that 7600 types of birds, mammals, and reptiles lost habitat as a result, and this loss was a 'considerable contribution' to the extinction risk for critically endangered species. They warn the physical distance between environmental impact and consumption could lead to a 'tragedy of the commons'.

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Journal/
conference: Nature

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Princeton University, USA

Funder: We would like to thank C. Tarnita, C. Riehl, S. Robinson and Y. Zeng for offering valuable perspectives that informed the design and analyses of the study; N.T. Hoang and K. Kanemoto for providing access to their data; and the High Meadows Foundation and Princeton University for their support of this work.

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