But could nature be "antifragile"? The latest in David Attenborough's Planet Earth series reminds us of the beauty of the world, and that it is at risk. But some think there is room for optimism.
Eye-popping Planet Earth has serious message
Whale done: Right whales almost went extinct, but today there are 12,000 around the world. Glossary
BBC - The British Broadcasting Corporation is the UK's national broadcaster.
Great Barrier Reef - The world's largest coral reef system found off the coast of Australia.
vulnerable - at risk of being harmed
Fragile - Easily broken.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.