A report from the WWF and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has found that Earth is on the brink of catastrophe, with human-induced climate change sparking massive biodiversity collapse.
Data from the Living Planet 2022 report reveals global wildlife populations have plummeted by an average of 69 percent since 1970. The study points to consumption patterns in affluent nations and worldwide dependency on fossil fuels such as oil and gas as forces "disproportionally driving nature loss".
Tropical regions hit hardest
The WWF has raised particular concerns about statistics from tropical areas, including the Caribbean and Latin America, which reveal an alarming decline in animal numbers. These regions, home to some of Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest, are witnessing average wildlife populations crash by 94 percent since 1970 — a decline surpassing all other regions globally.
Among the species facing devastating losses is the Amazon pink river dolphin, whose numbers in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve in Brazil's Amazonas state crashed by 65 percent between 1994 and 2016.
Leaders accused of failing
Published before the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Egypt (COP27), the study accused world leaders of "failing to deliver on their promises for nature and climate, putting unbearable strain on our planet and placing all life on Earth on the brink of catastrophe."
Tanya Steele, chief executive at WWF, said: "Despite the science, the catastrophic projections, the impassioned speeches and promises, the burning forests, submerged countries, record temperatures and displaced millions - world leaders continue to sit back and watch our world burn in front of our eyes."
She added: "Across the world, and in the UK, nature is on its knees and our leaders are risking catastrophic consequences for people, planet and our economy by failing to act. We are hurtling towards a hotter planet where nature - and with it, our food, our homes and livelihoods - will be unable to survive without urgent action now to save our climate. The world doesn't have time to wait - and doing so would be the biggest possible betrayal of future generations."
UK among most degraded nations
The WWF called on global leaders to boost "conservation and restoration activities in these tropical regions", emphasising that without nations, including the UK, honouring their nature and climate pledges, such initiatives are doomed to fail.
Nevertheless, they stressed action must be implemented across the globe, not solely in tropical areas. The Biodiversity Intactness Index reveals that the UK retains just 50 percent of its biodiversity wealth compared to historical standards, ranking it amongst the planet's most environmentally ravaged nations.
Following Russia's assault on Ukraine, worldwide dependency on fossil fuels has come under intense examination, as Vladimir Putin has weaponised gas deliveries to drive energy costs skyward globally. Renewable energy is taking centre stage in Europe's bid to sever its dependence on Russian gas, with the EU and the UK escalating their efforts in solar, wind and nuclear initiatives. Recent studies have revealed that renewable sources such as offshore wind are nine times less expensive than prevailing gas prices.
