Global Experts Warn Invasive Species Pose Unprecedented Threat to Economies and Ecosystems Worldwide
Geneva, Switzerland — A coalition of international scientists and policymakers has issued an urgent report detailing the escalating crisis posed by invasive species, now deemed a primary driver of biodiversity loss and economic disruption. The findings, published Thursday, highlight that the global economic cost of invasive species has surpassed $400 billion annually, with the spread of non-native organisms severely impacting agriculture, fisheries, and public health. Invasive species, defined as plants, animals, or pathogens introduced to new habitats through human activity, are multiplying at an alarming rate due to increased global trade and climate change. Experts warn that without immediate, coordinated action involving stricter border controls and rapid response mechanisms, the annual damage and management expenses could rise by over 60% in the next decade. The report emphasizes that invasive species are a direct threat to food security, with regions like the Great Lakes and Southeast Asia facing irreversible ecological damage.