The WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024 highlights global wildlife decline, revealing a 73% average decrease in monitored populations over the past 50 years
This decline, observed across various regions and habitats, shows an upcoming crisis worsened by habitat loss, overharvesting, invasive species, disease, and climate change.
Declines in wildlife populations
The report highlights that freshwater populations have suffered the most, plummeting by 85%, followed by terrestrial (69%) and marine (56%) species. These figures show the urgent need for concerted global action to reverse these trends, as declines in wildlife populations threaten the foundations of human health, climate stability, and global economies.
Regional impacts are severe, with Latin America and the Caribbean facing a staggering 95% decline, followed closely by Africa at 76% and the Asia-Pacific at 60%. North America and Europe also report significant losses at 39% and 35%, respectively. These declines jeopardise biodiversity and also endanger crucial ecosystems like North American pine forests, the Amazon rainforest, and coral reefs, which are vital for food security, livelihoods, and overall environmental resilience.
Fighting biodiversity loss and climate change
The recovery of mountain gorillas has offered some hope and bison populations due to effective conservation efforts, the overall trajectory is alarming. WWF emphasises the need for global leaders to ramp up efforts, aligning with international commitments like the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement. However, current actions fall short of what is necessary to avoid catastrophic tipping points.
The upcoming COP16 and COP29 summits are an opportunity for countries to strengthen their commitments and implement strong national plans that address both biodiversity loss and climate change.
WWF urges governments and businesses to redirect investments towards sustainable practices and policies that support global sustainability goals.
The Living Planet Report 2024 acts as a critical wake-up call. It urges swift and decisive action to protect our planet’s biodiversity, which underpins essential services like clean air, water, and food. By scaling up conservation efforts, reducing overconsumption, and integrating nature and climate policies, global leaders can mitigate further declines and build a resilient future for all.
