The government’s delay in publishing its national security assessment on biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse – which was finally issued last week, more than three months later than planned – is inexcusable, not least because much of the content is already out of date (Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn, 20 January).
The latest global tipping points report, published by Exeter University in October, revealed that we have already reached the first of many Earth system tipping points – the widespread dieback of warm-water coral reefs – which will cause catastrophic harm without urgent action. The irreversible melting of polar ice sheets, the collapse of key ocean currents and the dieback of the Amazon rainforest are next in line, with devastating risks for people and nature.
