This region—both on land and in the sea—are well-known as the world’s richest latitude for species. If the world is to preserve this biological wealth—it must first safeguard ecosystems in the Tropics. We ignore this at the peril of future product development that can cure the world’s diseases. In particular, tropical forests are incredibly biodiverse; they support at least two-thirds of the world’s biodiversity despite covering less than 10% of Earth’s land surface. Unfortunately, prospects for tropical forests and the biodiversity therein are becoming increasingly bleak owing to unabated deforestation and forest alteration that stem from human activities such as logging, hunting, agricultural expansion, and human settlement.
Ocean comprise 76 % of the region of the Tropics. As with the Tropics’ rainforests, its oceans sport the world’s most species-rich ecosystem of coral reefs. Although lower in overall fish biomass, the tropics’ share of the overall global wild marine fish catch is increasing. But overfishing and destructive fishing practices have depleted some species in parts of the Tropics due to pressure from human population growth, particularly in coastal communities, and increasing affluence. How will the Tropics leverage the marine economy: marine renewable energy as in offshore wind and ocean sectors; blue biotechnology?