Nature under pressure in New Caledonia: Social crisis in a world key biodiversity hotspot

Since May 2024, New Caledonia has faced civil unrest, economic collapse, food insecurity, and social instability, severely disrupting environmental management in this globally significant biodiversity hotspot. The crisis has exacerbated threats to biodiversity from poaching, illegal fishing, deforestation, urban fires, waste pollution, and pet abandonment, while conservation efforts have ground to a halt. Immediate action is needed to address these threats to nature. Here, we outline the current challenges and propose a strategy for achieving socio-ecological resilience that incorporates traditional knowledge, community led resource management, sustainable economic recovery, and increased funding for conservation. Protecting New Caledonia's species and ecosystems is critical to global biodiversity conservation.