The biodiversity and climate crises are closely intertwined, and addressing them together offers numerous synergies and benefits. The adaptive capacity of most ecosystems will be exceeded if climate warming is not kept well below 2°C. Other pressures such as land conversion, overexploitation and pollution must also be kept in check. Conversely, healthy ecosystems can play an important role in climate mitigation by sequestering carbon. Biodiversity plays an essential role, in that each species contains unique adaptations, yet interacts with other species in a web of dependencies. When species disappear from an ecosystem, those that depend on them for food, pollination or other needs also begin to disappear. This can decrease overall productivity and resilience. At a certain point, it becomes a “Jenga effect”– pull out too many pieces, and eventually the structure collapses. Examples include forest turning to grassland and coral reefs becoming expanses of sand. Such ecosystem collapses accelerate climate change and worsen its effects. In order to solve the joint climate and biodiversity crises, we must protect natural forests and other ecosystems, restore degraded areas, invest in natural climate solutions, and increase the resilience of public and private lands.