Human health and our productivity are dependent on ecosystem products and services (such as availability of fresh water, food and fuel sources). Biodiversity loss can have significant direct human health impacts if ecosystem services are no longer adequate to meet social needs. Indirectly, changes in ecosystem services affect livelihoods, income, local migration and, on occasion, may even cause or exacerbate political conflict. There is growing concern about the health consequences of biodiversity loss and their impact on health inequalities. Biodiversity loss also means that we are losing, before discovery, many of nature’s chemicals and genes – many that have already provided humans with enormous health benefits (World Health Organization, 2021).

Wales has a wealth of wildlife and natural environments that support our health and wellbeing. Everyone has a role to play to protect our biodiversity through activities carried out at an organisational, community and individual level.  The Wales Biodiversity Partnership promotes and monitors biodiversity and their website includes information on national and local actions and objectives and biodiversity-related news and events.