Global wildlife populations have plummeted by an average of 73% over the past 50 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Living Planet Report 2024. The biennial report presents a comprehensive study of global biodiversity and the health of nature, noting an alarming decline in monitored species populations worldwide.
"The picture we present is very concerning," said Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, during a press conference, according to Deutsche Welle. She emphasized the linked crises of nature loss and climate change, urging immediate global action.
The most severe declines have occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean, where wildlife populations have decreased by 95%, according to CNN Spanish. This region, rich in biodiversity, has suffered due to habitat loss, overexploitation, and climate change. Africa experienced a 76% decline, while Asia and the Pacific saw a 60% decrease in wildlife populations, attributed to pollution and habitat loss impacting mammals, birds, amphibians, bees, and freshwater turtles, reported The Washington Post.
Freshwater species have been the most affected globally, with an average decline of 85% since 1970, based on data from the Living Planet Index (LPI). Creatures living in rivers and lakes, such as the Amazon river dolphin, have experienced severe declines due to pollution and other threats, according to BBC News.
"The loss of wild spaces is putting many ecosystems on the brink," stated The New York Times, noting that wildlife population declines can lead to the loss of ecosystem functions, including carbon storage and clean water. The report warns that we are dangerously close to reaching critical tipping points, especially in regions like the Amazon rainforest and coral reefs, which are crucial for sustaining life on Earth, according to Deutsche Welle.
"That means in just my lifetime, 50 years, we've seen a decline of 73% in the average size of these wildlife populations," noted Dr. Robin Freeman, global biodiversity expert with the Zoological Society of London, according to CBS News.
"Healthy ecosystems underpin our health, prosperity, and wellbeing," Tanya Steele, Chief Executive of WWF-UK, told BBC News. She stressed the urgent need to address the causes of nature destruction by drastically reforming our food, energy, and financial systems. The report states that habitat loss and degradation, driven primarily by our food system, is the most significant threat to wildlife populations.
According to The Guardian, the world is witnessing the mass bleaching of coral reefs, the loss of tropical forests, the collapse of polar ice caps, and serious changes to the water cycle, which are the foundations of life on our planet. Mike Barrett, WWF's chief scientific adviser, described the 73% decline in wildlife populations as "really shocking" and emphasized that this is a fundamental threat to humanity, urging immediate action, reported BBC News.
WWF calls on governments to develop and implement more ambitious national nature and climate plans that include measures to reduce excessive global consumption, stop and reverse biodiversity loss, and reduce emissions equitably, according to Milenio. "Nature is sending a warning signal," said María José Villanueva, Conservation Director of WWF Mexico, as reported by the same source. "Our plan seeks to balance environmental protection with social and economic well-being, aligning Mexico with global goals to protect its vast biodi[versity and combat climate change."
"The good news is that we have not yet reached the point of no return," said Kirsten Schuijt, noting ongoing efforts following the Paris Agreement on climate and the Kunming-Montreal Agreement, as mentioned by La Croix. However, WWF warns that current national commitments are not sufficient to meet the 2030 targets and prevent serious tipping points. Het Nieuwsblad reported that WWF is urging countries to ensure more ambitious national nature and climate plans.
"But we know nature can recover, given the opportunity, and that we still have the chance to act," Matthew Gould, Chief Executive of the Zoological Society of London, told The Guardian. WWF emphasizes that in addition to greater efforts to conserve and restore nature, we must address the causes of destruction by drastically reforming our food, energy, and financial systems, as stated by Het Nieuwsblad.
Rebecca Shaw, WWF's chief scientist, told The Washington Post, "The time for action is now, and it needs to be big action and concerted and focused both on climate and nature in order to reverse the trends." The Living Planet Report underscores the urgency for coordinated global action, as habitat degradation, overexploitation of resources, and climate change have led the planet to a critical point, according to Milenio.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq