Biodiversity loss is increasing at an unprecedented rate, threatening the very basis of sustainable development. Many species of plants and animals are disappearing before they are even discovered or described. As the former Norwegian prime minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland once said, "the library of life is burning and we do not even know the titles of the books."

More than 16,119 species of the 40,177 species assessed in 2006 are included in the threatened categories of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the most authoritative inventory of the global status of biodiversity. But this number is considered to be the tip of the iceberg as only a fraction of all known species have been assessed. The main threats are habitat loss, over-exploitation and invasive species, but climate change is emerging as an equally pervasive threat. By 2050 up to one third of species may be on the road to extinction unless effective and sustained conservation action is undertaken.

Biodiversity loss can be stopped if we mobilize the collective commitment and energy of conservationists around the world. The Species Survival Commission (SSC) of IUCN-The World Conservation Union is already a key player in global conservation and is set to take on an even greater role in helping to halt the extinction crisis with the launch of the Sir Peter Scott Fund for Conservation Action. This will provide small grants, up to a maximum of $15,000 each, to support the activities of SSC Specialist (expert) Groups and benefit a wide range of plants, animals and their natural habitats.

There is growing awareness of the critical role biodiversity plays in overall sustainable development and the fact that it is essential to human well-being, livelihood and cultural life. In 2002 the 188 countries that are Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity established the goal, "to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth". The Sir Peter Scott Fund will make a significant contribution towards reaching this goal.

For more information on the Peter Scott Fund including on how to contribute please contact: peterscottfund@iucn.org

For the list of projects currently being funded by the Sir Peter Scott Fund for Conservation Action, please go here.