Invasive species are costing society more than $423 billion a year: report

Abstract

Publication: The Hill

A United Nations report reveals that invasive species are costing society over $423 billion annually, with costs quadrupling each decade since 1970. The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) found that more than 37,000 species have been introduced globally due to human activities, making invasive species one of the top five direct drivers of biodiversity loss.

At least 218 invasive species have contributed to over 1,200 extinctions, with 85% of their impact being negative on native species. Other key drivers of biodiversity loss include climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction. However, researchers emphasize that prevention measures, containment strategies, and ecosystem restoration can mitigate these impacts.

Early intervention remains the most cost-effective approach, but eradication and control strategies are also effective in specific contexts. This report underscores the urgent need for global action to combat the ecological and economic damage caused by invasive species.