Causes and Impacts of the Triple Planetary Crisis

Two infographics focus on understanding the crisis itself, drawing on the findings of the report "The Interconnected Challenges of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Environmental Pollution: Drivers, Interdependencies and Impacts of the Triple Planetary Crisis". The key findings are summarised in the fact sheet, which also presents both infographics.

The first infographic illustrates the main drivers and reinforcing feedback loops linking climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, showing how human activities such as fossil fuel use, land-use change and overconsumption create cascading risks for ecosystems, food and water security, health and social stability. Building on this, the second infographic highlights the cascading effects of the triple crisis that are amplified by i.a. socio-economic inequalities, global interconnectedness, and pollutant interactions. The resulting impacts undermine both ecosystem health − through soil degradation, reduced biodiversity, and loss of ecosystem services − and human health, by increasing chronic disease risks, zoonotic outbreaks, malnutrition, and mental health challenges.

Systemic Responses to the Triple Planetary Crisis

The other two infographics are based on the report "Moving from Interconnected Crises to Systemic Solutions. Resource Efficiency, Nature-based Solutions, and Systemic Transformation as Responses to the Complexity of the Triple Planetary Crisis" and focus on pathways for action. They are also included in the accompanying fact sheet under the same title.

The first infographic presents the current model of material use, showing how extraction, production, consumption and disposal drive environmental pressures, and outlines key policy actions needed to overcome structural barriers, reduce resource use and decouple human well-being from environmental harm. The second solution-oriented infographic showcases nature-based solutions (NbS) as systemic responses to the triple planetary crisis, illustrating how measures such as wetland restoration, mangrove protection or urban green infrastructure can simultaneously address climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, while delivering co-benefits for health, resilience and livelihoods. Together, the infographics offer a clear visual overview, tracing the triple planetary crisis from its underlying drivers and impacts to systemic solution pathways. They are intended to make complex relationships easier to grasp and to support informed decisions in policy, research and practice. 

Download the Infographics:

Drivers and feedback loops of the triple planetary crisis 

Impacts of the triple planetary crisis on human and ecosystem health

Current model of material use & key policy actions to address structural barriers

Examples of nature-based solutions as systemic solutions for the triple planetary crisis