On the sidelines of APEC, university leaders are calling attention to the critical issue of biodiversity.

Decreasing biodiversity from development, loss of habitat and climate change threaten the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe as interconnected ecosystems are put under increasing pressure.

Biodiversity loss is poised to do real damage to the world economy. The World Bank estimates biodiversity loss could cost global GDP $2.7 trillion a year by 2030. Focusing on Biodiversity during the economy focused APEC gathering is a way to highlight the financial downside.

CGTN’s Jim Spellman reports.