Call for action to halt wildlife decline

Worrying report prompts challenge to public

HOT on the heels of the publication of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report 2016, ZSL (Zoological Society of London) will be hosting two events, challenging guests to explore and tackle the trends revealed by this ground-breaking analysis of the state of global wildlife.

Acknowledged as the world’s single most comprehensive survey of the health of our planet, the Living Planet Report 2016 – based on data from both organisations – reveals global vertebrate populations (fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles) are on a course to decline by a devastating average of 67% from 1970 levels by 2020, unless urgent action is taken to reduce humanity’s impact on species and ecosystems.

ZSL is calling on the public to step up to this challenge and discover how their individual actions can make a difference.

A free public evening event was due to be hosted yesterday (Tuesday) at ZSL London Zoo – ‘Can I protect the planet? How our daily decisions impact global biodiversity decline’ – will bring together a panel of speakers to discuss the implications of the WWF Living Planet Report’s findings.

Exploring topics including whether individual consumer choices can really make a difference, or if concerted government action is the only solution for slowing current rates of decline in the natural world, audience members can also attend a three-course dinner with panellists following the debate.

A one-day scientific symposium on Tuesday November 29 – ‘The Living Planet Report 2016: Threats, pressures and addressing challenges’ – will explore the trends unearthed by the WWF Living Planet Report in more depth. Threats to biodiversity including habitat degradation, human population growth, invasive species and illegal wildlife trade will be dissected by scientists from ZSL’s Institute of Zoology, alongside speakers from Imperial College London, WWF and the Natural History Museum among others.

For information on ZSL scientific events, please visit www.zsl.org/ science/whats-on