Hello! <3 I'm an IB2 student and I'm posting information about the environment for a CAS (creativity, activity, and service) experience. I'm here to advocate, especially about biodiversity loss, so that you can be more informed!
All About Biodiversity Loss and Reductions in the Insect Population, and What You Can Do To Combat It 𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩
When I was a kid, I remember walking outside and seeing lightning bugs lighting up the night sky during the hot summer nights. Now, I’m lucky if I even see a single one, or any sort of insect. Butterflies, moths, and all species of insects are affected by biodiversity loss around the world, due to habitat destruction and climate change.
Biodiversity, itself, is defined as “the variety of plant and animal life in the world or a particular habitat” and it is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, as of 2026, a quarter of species are now endangered, largely due to habitat fragmentation, intensive agriculture, pollution, and climate change. Insects, for example, have declined globally by about 45% over the past 40 years, despite their crucial role in pollinating roughly 75% of global crops. Without biodiversity, ecosystems cannot maintain their natural systems and food systems weaken.
Currently, I live in Germany, and biodiversity loss is very noticeable here, for it has reached critical levels. More than half of the country’s natural habitats are in an ecologically unfavourable state, and around one-third of species are threatened, with about 3% already extinct. In total, about 10,000 species in Germany are at risk of extinction, particularly that of the insect population. Studies have shown that in some parts of Germany, over 75% of flying insect biomass has disappeared in less than 30 years. Additionally, 70% of butterfly species are in decline, while nearly half of wild bee species are decreasing. In certain regions, such as the wild bee populations in parts of Bavaria, the populations have dropped by three-quarters within a decade.
The declines are driven by, mainly, human factors. For one, there is habitat loss due to urban expansion and industrial agriculture, which has removed crucial ecosystems like grasslands, wetlands, and forests. The widespread use of pesticides has further devastated insect populations. Additionally, pollution has led to water systems suffering under severe stress, with only 9% of surface waters in Europe meeting good ecological status. Climate change leads to the exacerbation of all of these issues, and causes the habitats to be altered faster than many species can adapt.
In order to address biodiversity loss, not only within Germany but within the world at large, policy action and individual action is incredibly important. The first step is advocating for the expansion of protected areas. For instance, Greenpeace has called for at least 30% of land and sea to be preserved by 2030. Furthermore, the creation of wildlife corridors over highways and other busy areas can connect fragmented habitats, which allows species to move and maintain their genetic diversity. Of course, it is noteworthy to reform agricultural practices through the reduction of pesticide use, support of organic farmers, and the promotion of sustainable land management. Lastly, governments need to tackle pollution and climate change directly by regulating emissions and investing in cleaner technologies. Advocating for governments to increase funding for conservation efforts can feel like a worthless pursuit, but individual action is so important for implementing real change.
Now, you may be reading this and wondering where you fit in. This is always what I end up wondering whenever I read about environmental concerns and conservation issues, and then that horrible feeling of hopelessness starts creeping in. I want to prevent that, because the only way to enact change within your communities and in your individual lives is to have hope!
Advocating, of course, is very meaningful. You can raise awareness online, support environmental campaigns, or try and start local community initiatives, such as community gardens. Within your comes, you can create insect-friendly spaces! I have been able to create an insect hotel before, which is a structure you can make that aims to provide shelter and nesting sites to insects in order to promote biodiversity. It also assists with pest control in gardens, in a healthy and non-harmful way. Additionally, you can grow insect friendly plants, create a log pile, a compost heap, plant wildflowers, and leave leaf litter, deadwoods, and tall grass within your yards.
If you are curious, I have added the links to where you can find all of the information I sourced my writing from below :) I hope you have a wonderful day and remember to stay hopeful, because through hope, you can achieve anything.
What you can do in your garden to promote insect growth: https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/how-to-attract-insects-garden#:~:text=Of%20course%2C%20you%20don't,great%20safe%20place%20for%20them.
Sources
*Some sources are in German :)
European Environment Agency
Habitats and species still under threat
Biodiversity fact check reveals: Habitats and species remain threatened
Insect numbers in Germany: On the way down
‘Half the tree of life’: ecologists’ horror as nature reserves are emptied of insects
UCR Department of Entomology
Greenpeace
