Fifth of nations at risk of ecosystem collapse, analysis finds

One-fifth of the world’s countries are at risk of their ecosystems collapsing due to the destruction of wildlife and their habitats, according to an analysis by insurance giant Swiss Re. Natural “services” such as food, clean water and air, and flood protection have already been damaged by human activity. Over half of global GDP – $42tn (£32tn) – depends on high-functioning biodiversity, according to Swiss Re’s report, but the risk of tipping points is growing. Nations including Australia, Israel and South Africa rank near the top of Swiss Re’s new index of risk to biodiversity and ecosystem services, with India, Spain and Belgium also highlighted. Countries with both fragile ecosystems and...