Search the SPREP Catalogue

The Convention on Biological Diversity CBD recognises that humans are a major force in changing nature. Vast parts of the earth's surface are transformed to meet human needs and wants for agricultural production, water, energy, urbanisation, construction, tourism, transport and industry. In the process humans are causing threats to and massive extinction of species, depleting natural resources, reducing ecosystems and unwittingly increasing threats from natural disasters. Cultural practices that use particular species for ceremonies or medicinal purposes can put pressure on people to act in certain ways that threaten species. With climate warming, threats increase to the diversity of life on earth and to human wellbeing.