UN report: A lonelier planet with fewer plants, animals

WASHINGTON » Earth is losing plants, animals and clean water at a dramatic rate, according to four new United Nations scientific reports that provide the most comprehensive and localized look at the state of biodiversity.

Scientists meeting in Colombia issued four regional reports Friday on how well animal and plants are doing in the Americas, Europe and Central Asia, Africa and the Asia-Pacific area.

Their conclusion after three years of study: Nowhere is doing well.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem was about more than just critters, study team chairman Robert Watson said. It is about keeping Earth livable for humans because people rely on biodiversity for food, clean water and public health, the prominent British and U.S. scientist said.

“This is undermining well-being across the planet,” Watson said.