Destruction of nature is as big a threat to humanity as climate change

We are destroying nature at an unprecedented rate, threatening the survival of a million species – and our own future, too. But it's not too late to save them and us, says a major new report. Our destruction of biodiversity and ecosystem services has reached levels that threaten our well-being at least as much as human-induced climate change." With these words chair Robert Watson launched a meeting in Paris to agree the final text of a major UN report on the state of nature around the world – the biggest and most thorough assessment to date, put together by 150 scientists from 50 countries. The report, released today, is mostly grim reading.