A recent study by the World Wildlife Fund has revealed that the average size of global wildlife populations has dwindled by 73% over the past five decades. The comprehensive analysis, titled the 2024 Living Planet Report, meticulously tracked the populations of 5,495 species spanning amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles from 1970 to 2020. The findings highlight a concerning decline across all indicators monitoring the status of nature on a global scale.
Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove, the WWF’s senior forest policy officer, expressed deep concern over the report’s alarming revelations, particularly emphasizing the significant role of European Union consumption in driving global biodiversity loss. Notably, critical ecosystems such as the Amazon are on the brink of irreversible tipping points due to such environmental pressures.
The study identified freshwater populations as the most severely impacted, experiencing an 85% decline, followed by terrestrial populations with a 69% decrease, and marine populations declining by 56%. Dr. Kirsten Schuijt, the director general of WWF International, issued a distress call on behalf of nature, underscoring the urgent need to address the interconnected crises of nature loss and climate change that are pushing wildlife and ecosystems to their limits.
Regionally, the study noted the swiftest declines in Latin America and the Caribbean, where a distressing 95% decline was observed. This was followed by Africa with a 76% reduction and Asia and the Pacific with a 60% decline in wildlife populations. Human-related factors such as habitat degradation and loss, rooted in the human food system, were identified as primary drivers of this catastrophic loss, alongside issues of overexploitation, invasive species, and disease.
The study also highlighted the significant impacts of climate change and pollution on wildlife populations, with various regions experiencing heightened threats. The report issued a stark warning about the looming probability of reaching global tipping points should existing trends persist, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive action to avert irreversible consequences.
As the world edges closer to the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, voices such as Colombia’s Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, emphasize the vital role of events like these in promoting climate action and the conservation of biodiversity. Dr. Schuijt stressed the critical importance of the decisions made and actions taken in the next five years, underscoring their profound implications for the future of life on Earth.
