DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Mother nature is in trouble: One million species threatened with extinction
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Mother nature is in trouble: One million species threatened with extinction

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Botanical gardens in the Netherlands Botanical gardens in the Netherlands
5 apps to help you lead a more sustainable life in the Netherlands5 apps to help you lead a more sustainable life in the Netherlands
If the Netherlands flooded what would be left of the country?If the Netherlands flooded what would be left of the country?
[Video] Gorgeous Dutch tulips[Video] Gorgeous Dutch tulips
[Video] Exquisite natural areas in North-Brabant[Video] Exquisite natural areas in North-Brabant
[Video] Largest storm surge barrier in the Netherlands[Video] Largest storm surge barrier in the Netherlands
[Video] How the Dutch dug up their country from the sea[Video] How the Dutch dug up their country from the sea
Innovative ways Dutch companies are helping the environmentInnovative ways Dutch companies are helping the environment
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
May 8, 2019
Mina Solanki
Completed her Master's degree at the University of Groningen and worked as a translator before joining IamExpat. She loves to read and has a particular interest in Greek mythology. In addition to this, she is an avid rower.Read more

According to a report by international experts from 50 countries across the world, of the around eight million plant and animal species on Earth, about one million risk extinction. Many of these species could be gone within a few decades.

Species disappearing at an alarming rate

The rate at which species are disappearing is unprecedented and is ten to hundreds of times faster than the average rate for the last 10 million years. Additionally, never before in the history of humankind have so many species been threatened with extinction. Researchers are sounding the alarm. If we act now, it is not too late to make a difference.

According to Robert Watson, director of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), humankind must make drastic changes to turn the tide and this needs to happen at all levels, from local to worldwide, in order to save nature and the species at risk. “By means of “transformative changes” nature can be preserved, restored and used in a sustainable way”.

The report sets forth that 40 percent of amphibians risk extinction, and at least 680 species of vertebrates have already gone extinct since the 16th century because of humans. Moreover, the number of invasive species in 21 countries, which keep detailed figures, has increased by a dramatic 70 percent since 1970.

Global action needs to be taken

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is now calling for a worldwide biodiversity deal, like the Paris Climate Agreement. Kirsten Schuijt, CEO of the Dutch branch of the WWF, “It is now time to take action worldwide and for us to take a stand together […] An international agreement and concrete measures are necessary to stop the loss of biodiversity and work on the restoration of nature.”

Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands) feels that the Netherlands should take measures now. Ton Sledsens for Friends of the Earth Netherlands: “We need to stop the extra logging for energy, here in the Netherlands and worldwide. Gigantic areas of rainforest have been cut down for palm oil plantations and many animal species have been eradicated. Milieudefensie believes that the government should prevent banks from financing this”.

By Mina Solanki