At a major scientific forum in Nairobi on August 4th, 2026, the head of the UN’s Biodiversity Convention highlighted that the world spends 30 times more money destroying nature than protecting it, with Africa often lacking the necessary resources to address the biodiversity crisis. Africa, which hosts 25% of global biodiversity, has lost about 24% of its species since the pre-industrial period, according to a recent study.

Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Astrid Schomaker, told UN News that biodiversity supports human survival through food and medicine and enhances resilience. She emphasized that climate change is the single biggest driver of biodiversity loss and that Africa is especially vulnerable to climate shocks.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warned earlier this year that massive government subsidies for fossil fuels and private industrial spending worldwide cause biodiversity loss to outpace conservation efforts. Schomaker added that rising temperatures, invasive species, pollution, and overexploitation of land and water are depleting resources vital for rural and coastal communities’ food, income, and clean water.

Following a recent meeting of the UN’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, which identified biodiversity loss as a critical problem, the Subsidiary Body on Implementation is meeting in Nairobi until August 12th to focus on solutions.

Schomaker concluded by stressing the importance of raising awareness: “How can we make everybody understand that biodiversity matters for them – that destroying biodiversity means you essentially destroy what you are building your lives on, and then make the right decisions.”