It’s a matter of wildlife & death
Shock report finds 60% fall in animals on earth since 1970
Polar population is falling Hedgehogs are dying off A HUMAN consumption “explosion” has led to a 60% fall in wildlife since 1970, the WWF has warned.
A shock report revealed around two-thirds of Earth’s mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and birds have been wiped out.
The cause of what has been described by the World Wildlife Fund as a “mindblowing” crisis is said to be rising deforestation, pollution and climate change.
Director general Marco Lambertini said: “The crisis is unprecedented in its speed, in its scale and because it is single-handed. It’s mindblowing.”
Chief Tanya Steele added: “We are the first generation to know we are destroying our planet and the last one that can do anything about it.
URGENT
“The collapse of global wildlife populations is a warning sign nature is dying.
“But instead of putting the world on life support, we’re using a sticking plaster.”
The document, written by 50 experts, points to the catastrophic impact our consumption of natural resources is having.
And it predicts the fall in population will deteriorate further unless urgent action is taken by countries and businesses alike.
The numbers of elephants rhinos, polar bears, hedgehogs and puffins is steadily falling because of climate change and rising temperatures.
Green Party spokeswoman Grace O’sullivan said: “This report once again brings home the terrible reality of what we are doing to our planet.
“The endless consumerism and throwaway culture that underpins our society today is simply not sustainable, and yet again we are seeing the very real consequences.”
Some of the key findings include:
■ Just 25% of Earth’s land is unspoiled by human impact and this is estimated to be just 10% by 2050
■ A staggering 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs compared to just 5% in 1960
■ Monitored wildlife losses have dropped by a shocking 89% in tropical areas such as Latin America and the Caribbean, and
■ More than 80% of worldwide freshwater species such as amphibians have been wiped out between 1970 and 2014.