Act Now for Nature: Protect Nature Today, Secure Tourism Tomorrow

I read today that the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ now covers 172,620 species of wildlife, and of those 48,646 are threatened with extinction. That’s more than 1 in 4 animal and plant species on this planet close to being wiped out. Why does this matter to us?

Because as biodiversity declines, so does the stability of complex ecosystems that underpin everything we depend on. Nature provides our food, clean water and fresh air, protects us from disease and destructive weather, and supports our livelihoods, businesses and economies. Allowing biodiversity loss to continue unabated will lead to growing volatility in supply chains, food systems, and the global economy – a risk no business can afford to ignore.

While every industry relies on ecosystem services – from agriculture to fashion – for tourism, the connection couldn’t be clearer. Nature is often the very reason people travel – the coral reefs, forests, coastlines, and wildlife that make destinations unique. Yet as these natural assets degrade, so does tourism’s appeal, profitability, and resilience. The loss of nature is not just an environmental concern: it is a direct threat to jobs, the wellbeing of local communities, and the future of the sector itself.

Protect Nature Today, Secure Tourism Tomorrow

Businesses are starting to acknowledge this, but recognition alone won’t stop nature’s decline. Commitments to sustainability and biodiversity are commendable, but they mean little without strategic plans, accountability and measurable outcomes. For effective nature-positive action, businesses need to understand their nature-related dependencies and impacts in order to identify and reduce their nature risks, restore ecosystems, and regenerate the destinations that support their operations. All these vital actions are clearly set out in the Nature Positive Tourism approach, devised by tourism professionals to help Travel & Tourism take action for nature.

Acting for nature is not a cost – it’s an investment in business resilience, reputation, and long-term prosperity. The longer we wait, the higher the price of inaction becomes.

The time to act is Now

Nature cannot wait for gradual change, and neither can the industries that depend on it. By protecting and restoring nature today, we safeguard the stability, prosperity, and natural beauty that will define tourism tomorrow.

Daniel Turner, ANIMONDIAL

Find Out More

• Want to Act Now for Nature? Book in a free call with ANIMONDIAL to discuss how we can support your business.
• Identify your nature-related risks, how your business impacts nature, and ensure your actions align with environmental regulations with ANIMONDIAL’s action-oriented NATOUR IMPACT online assessment.
• Learn more about the Nature Positive Tourism step-by-step approach.