Our planet is losing biodiversity at an alarming rate. When forests are cleared, wetlands drained, or grasslands destroyed, countless species lose their homes.
A major driver of this biodiversity loss is factory farming. To raise billions of animals and grow the crops that feed them, huge areas of land are cleared, pushing native wildlife aside and causing deep, lasting harm.
By recognising the harm that factory farming has on the health of our planet, we can work proactively to protect and defend biodiversity, giving endangered species a chance at survival.
What is biodiversity loss?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth — plants, animals, insects, fungi, and microbes — and the ecosystems they create together. The reason why biodiversity is important to ecosystems is that it provides vital resources to every living thing on Earth.
Biodiversity loss happens when this rich variety of life is reduced. When populations shrink or species go extinct, the entire ecosystem suffers.
Why is loss of biodiversity a concern?
When biodiversity is lost, there are knock-on effects. Animals lose their homes, their food sources, and their ability to survive. And because every species is connected, the disappearance of one affects many others.
This includes humans. We depend on healthy ecosystems for clean water, fertile soil, and a stable climate.
What are the main causes of biodiversity loss?
Many forces are driving biodiversity loss, but factory farming is one of the most destructive. Agriculture accounts for 80% of all land-use change globally, reshaping landscapes and putting countless animals at risk.
The causes of biodiversity loss driven by factory farming include:
Deforestation
Vast areas of forests are cleared to make way for animal feed crops like soy or to create grazing land for cattle. This wipes out habitats in an instant, forcing wildlife to flee.
And the more demand for factory-farmed food, the more wild animals face the destruction of their natural habitats. It’s estimated that by 2028, an additional area of land almost twice the size of Switzerland may be needed just to grow the soy used to feed animals.
Pesticide use
Industrial farming relies heavily on pesticides to grow the huge volumes of feed crops required. These chemicals contaminate soil and drinking water and destroy insect populations, including bees and butterflies that pollinate the plants we all depend on.
Worldwide, 385 million cases of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning occur each year.
Climate change
Factory farming is a major contributor to climate change: at least 16.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from this industry.
JBS, the giant Brazilian global meat producer, is alone responsible for emissions equivalent to 14 million cars on the road each year. As we know, climate change is a huge cause of habitat degradation, putting further stress on already struggling species.
Wildlife farming
Wildlife farming reduces biodiversity by disrupting ecosystems and removing animals from the wild. Land is often cleared for cages, fencing, and access roads — breaking up natural habitats and blocking wildlife movement.
These farms also fuel demand for wild species, putting even more pressure on already threatened populations.
Why biodiversity loss is accelerating
Factory farming is a rapidly expanding industry, and as a result, biodiversity is suffering. Global meat production is five times higher today than it was fifty years ago. To satiate our changing diets and our voracious appetite for meat, factory farming has had to accelerate rapidly to meet demand.
Over 90% of all farmed animals worldwide now live in factory farms, which require vast amounts of land for grazing and animal feed. This expansion is a leading cause of deforestation, destroying habitats and pushing endangered species ever closer to extinction.
And it doesn’t look like things are going to slow down any time soon. By 2050, meat production is forecast to grow by nearly 50% compared to 2013. As the industry grows, so too does the scale of harm to animals and ecosystems, accelerating biodiversity loss worldwide.
Factory farming isn’t just expanding; it’s spiralling out of control. Its expansion is clearing forests and fragmenting the habitats that countless species rely on for survival.
Effects of biodiversity loss
The effects of biodiversity on nature, society, and even the economy are impossible to ignore.
- The disappearance of species weakens ecosystems: Biodiversity facilitates pollinators like bees, filters and purifies water, promotes healthy soil for plant growth, and naturally regulates pests. Without these, environments become fragile and animals struggle to survive.
- Food production becomes less reliable: Agriculture, fisheries, and forestry all rely on balanced ecosystems. When biodiversity is lost, food production becomes less reliable, threatening jobs and livelihoods.
- Food security is at risk: Land is increasingly diverted to grow crops for livestock. It’s estimated that for every 100 calories fed to animals as cereals, just 17 to 30 calories enter the human food chain as meat.
- The effects of climate change are heightened: From a biodiversity perspective, fewer species and less genetic diversity in the wild mean crops and animals are more vulnerable to climate change and disease.
Biodiversity is a concern for everyone on Earth, not just for wildlife. Factory farming places both humans and animals in an increasingly unstable position.
Why is biodiversity important to ecosystems?
Biodiversity keeps ecosystems healthy and functioning. Every species — from the tiniest pollinator to the largest predator — plays a role in keeping nature in balance.
Biodiversity also helps to mitigate climate change. Forests and oceans absorb carbon, wetlands store floodwaters, and healthy soils sequester greenhouse gases. When these ecosystems are intact, they protect humans and wildlife from an increasingly warming planet.
Our everyday lives depend on biodiversity too. It gives us clean air, food, water, energy, livelihoods, and medicines. Pollinators make it possible to grow fruits and vegetables, and freshwater sources supply drinking water. Fertile soils support agriculture, forests provide natural medicines, and oceans feed millions of people.
Protecting biodiversity protects life. Both human and animal alike.
What can we do to stop biodiversity loss?
Reducing your meat intake, supporting farming methods that respect animals and the environment, and challenging companies involved in factory farming all help protect ecosystems.
The loss of biodiversity is not inevitable. We need to challenge the manmade systems behind biodiversity loss — like factory farming — to protect our planet and reduce animal suffering. It sounds like a big job, but small, collective changes add up to powerful action.
We need your help to support WAP campaigns and policies. Together, we can demand that governments and industries prioritise biodiversity, protect wild spaces, and phase out destructive farming practices and wildlife exploitation.
By acting now, we can make sure the natural world not only survives but thrives for generations to come. Donate or subscribe for updates to support our work.
