The global challenge

Erratic weather patterns, severe frost, and unusually warm winters have become increasingly common worldwide, all indicative of the new "normal" shaped by the impact of climate change. What was once considered a challenge for the distant future is now a present-day reality, inflicting significant damage on agriculture across the globe. From coffee crops in Vietnam to wheat fields in Pakistan, the consequences of climate disruption are already being keenly felt.

This surge in global temperatures is not only responsible for mounting agricultural losses but is also driving the loss of biodiversity and the proliferation of crop pests and invasive species. The latter issue is particularly worrisome; following habitat destruction, invasive species represent the second most significant threat to biodiversity. Their presence imposes a staggering economic burden, estimated at around US$1.4 trillion annually on the global economy.

The fragile equilibrium of the natural world is crucial to the survival of life on Earth. It emphasizes the importance of goals such as SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land, both of which aim to fortify our resilience against climate change and the decline of biodiversity, underscoring their ever-growing significance.