Depend on nature : ecosystem services supporting human livelihoods

Human wellbeing depends on the capacity of the earth’s natural systems to provide ecosystem goods and services. However, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment chillingly concludes that unless we take action to mitigate the current decline in ecosystem services, the cost to society will be substantial. In this publication, IUCN defines three key challenges that will need to be addressed in the near future in order to deliver internationally-agreed development goals. Actions for implementation for all three challenges are also proposed, as well as some ‘First Steps’ that should be initiated now if we are to secure our future.