Source from BBC
According to the Living Planet Report 2018’s the most recent year with available data, it stated that population sizes of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles have fallen by an average of 60 per cent between 1970 and 2014.
The figure suggests that the top threats to the species are directly linked to human activities, including habitat loss and degradation and overexploitation of wildlife.
Over recent decades, human activity has also severely impacted the habitats and natural resources wildlife and humanity depend on, such as oceans, forests, coral reefs, wetlands and mangroves.
The Earth is estimated to have lost about half of its shallow water corals in the past 30 years and 20 percent of the Amazon has disappeared in just 50 years.
President and CEO of WWF-US Carter Roberts said, “this report sounds a warning shot across our bow.”
He said natural systems essential to our human survival.
“It reminds us we need to change course and it is time to balance our consumption with the needs of nature, as well as to protect the only planet that is our home,” he stated.
Besides, Director of Science at Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Professor Ken Norris said from rivers and rainforests, to mangroves and mountainsides, across the planet our work shows that wildlife abundance has declined dramatically since 1970.
Professor Norris said the statistics are scary but all hope is not lost.
“We have a chance to design a new path forward that allows us to co-exist sustainably with the wildlife we depend upon.
“Our report sets out an ambitious agenda for change and we are going to need your help to achieve it,” Professor Norris stated.
The WWF is calling on people, businesses and governments to mobilize together and deliver on a comprehensive framework agreement for nature and people under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The report tracks more than 16,000 populations and 4,000 species through the Living Planet Index provided by the Zoological Society of London.
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