Biodiversity and ecosystem services are really important for our economy and for improving people's lives. Here are some key reasons why keeping biodiversity is beneficial for the economy:

1. Value of Ecosystem Services:

   • Ecosystem services include things like providing food, regulating the environment, supporting life, and cultural benefits. Together, these services are worth around $125 trillion each year worldwide. This shows just how much biodiversity helps economies everywhere.

2. Boosting Agriculture:

   • Biodiversity helps farms work better. When there are many different types of plants, they can grow healthier and be more resilient. In fact, crops grown in areas with more biodiversity can produce up to 20% more food. This is because the plants have better nutrients and natural pest control.

3. Using Natural Resources:

   • About 80% of people around the world depend on traditional medicine. Biodiversity gives us many different plants and creatures that can help create medicines for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart problems. For example, the periwinkle plant has led to treatments for cancer, showing how biodiversity can have real economic benefits.

4. Tourism and Fun Activities:

   • Places rich in biodiversity attract many tourists, which helps local and national economies. The global ecotourism market, which focuses on visiting natural areas responsibly, makes over $220 billion each year. This highlights the financial value of protecting nature.

5. Creating Jobs:

   • Industries that depend on healthy ecosystems—like farming, fishing, and tourism—provide millions of jobs. The International Labour Organization says that shifting to a greener economy could create about 24 million new jobs.

6. Helping with Climate and Disasters:

   • Healthy ecosystems play an important role in regulating the climate and can help reduce the impact of natural disasters. Research shows that for every $1 spent on restoring ecosystems, we can avoid costs of$10 to $30 from disasters in the long run. This makes it clear that maintaining biodiversity is also a smart economic move.

In summary, keeping biodiversity and ecosystem services is not just good for nature; it also helps our economy grow, supports jobs, and helps us handle environmental changes. The way biodiversity and the economy work together is key for a sustainable future.