CONTRARY to conventional thinking, climate and biodiversity are not separate worlds but are two sides of the same coin. Events in one affect the other. For example, similar harmful activities like overfishing and pollution drive both biodiversity loss and climate change. To come up with integrated solutions, a new generation of professionals who can bridge the biodiversity-climate nexus must arise.
Dindo Campilan, International Union for Conservation of Nature regional director for Asia and hub director for Oceania, emphasized these points in a seminar hosted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on Nov. 17, 2025.
First, he stressed that "persistent fragmentation between biodiversity and climate" as distinct fields is no longer tenable. Second, "it remains rare to find professionals who can bridge both," Campilan said.
Third, the pressing gaps in academic programs fail to equip students with the skills needed to address the intertwined challenges of both environmental elements. With traditional conservation approaches insufficient, Campilan emphasized that integrated solutions are necessary. Academic institutions must play a more active role in preparing future professionals to address these challenges.
The harsh numbers make this development urgent: a landmark 2020 paper in Nature revealed that the rate of biodiversity loss has surpassed nature's ability to recover.
"The next-generation leaders and professionals must be equipped to understand, address and work on the intersection of these two," Campilan said. He called on universities to ensure that students gain the skills necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving demands of science and policy, citing the limited pool of talent suited to work at the biodiversity-climate nexus.
Campilan's message is clear: it is time to bend the curve. Systemic changes in production and consumption are needed to address the inextricably linked crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. The clock is ticking, and the next generation of professionals must be equipped to drive this change. The seminar also emphasized that academic institutions, policymakers and professionals must come together to drive this kind of sustainable transformation.