Invasive alien species, introduced by human activities, are rapidly spreading across the globe, causing extensive economic damage – $423 billion (R8.2 trillion) a year, according to a four-year UN study.
The Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has highlighted the alarming economic consequences of invasive species. Ranging from plants and insects to mammals and marine animals, they are causing environmental havoc worldwide.
The list of invasive species includes Asian hornets, American crayfish, ragweed, Japanese knotweed, as well as seemingly cute creatures such as squirrels and raccoons. Their proliferation is driven by factors such as globalisation and climate change, leading to the destruction of crops and forests, the spread of diseases, and threats to the overall quality of life on Earth.
The report, based on over 13…