Global wildlife population has plummeted by almost three-quarters in the span of half a century, according to a report by conservation charity WWF. The decline in wildlife populations is a result of human activities such as habitat destruction for food production, exacerbated by the climate crisis. The Living Planet Index compiled by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) reveals that monitored global populations of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles have experienced an average decline of 73 per cent over the past 50 years.
The report warns that nature is in a state of “free fall”, with the world facing dangerous and irreversible “tipping points” in natural systems like the Amazon rainforest and polar ice caps. These tipping points could have severe repercussions for both humanity and wildlife. The decline in wildlife populations is a pressing issue that necessitates urgent action to transform food production, energy, and finance systems that contribute to the destruction of nature, upon which humanity’s survival depends.
The report points out that mass die-offs of corals could devastate fisheries and storm protection for coastal communities, while the melting of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets could lead to significant sea level rise. In regions like Latin America and the Caribbean, wildlife populations have dropped by as much as 95 per cent in the last five decades. While Europe and North America have seen less dramatic declines, it is noted that substantial impacts on nature had already occurred in those regions before 1970.
Conservationists highlight success stories such as the increase in mountain gorilla populations in East Africa and the recovery of European Bison populations in central Europe. However, these positive developments are overshadowed by the widespread habitat destruction that continues to threaten wildlife globally. Governments must urgently bridge the gap between the necessary finance and actions required to address climate change, halt nature declines, and support sustainable development.
WWF is calling for more protected areas, support for the rights of indigenous communities, and nature-based solutions like agroforestry and mangrove restoration. Additionally, there is a push for nature-friendly farming practices, promoting plant-based diets, reducing food waste, and redirecting harmful subsidies to support sustainable agriculture. The energy system also needs transformation to mitigate climate change, and finance should be redirected towards activities that align with global goals on nature, climate, and development.
In the UK, WWF is advocating for a Living Planet Act that would mandate the Government to produce plans demonstrating how they will manage the country’s land and seas to meet climate, nature, and food security commitments. WWF UK’s chief executive stressed the importance of acknowledging the role developed countries play in driving deforestation and nature loss through consumption habits. The report serves as a wake-up call, urging immediate action to protect and restore nature as it underpins societies, economies, food sources, and the very air we breathe.