In just over 40 years, 60% of animal species have disappeared– including mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. This alarming observation was published in the WWF Living Planet Report 2018, to which 59 scientists participated. They found the main driver of this decline is the vast and growing worldwide consumption of food and resources, especially the destruction of natural habitats for agricultural purposes. By way of comparison, a 60% decline of the world population would amount to “emptying North America, South America, Africa,Europe, China and Oceania”, warned Mike Barrett, executive Director of science and conservation at WWF. Alongside killing for food, overfishing and chemical pollution are two other catalysts to wildlife losses around the world.

“There is no excuse for inaction” said WWF International Director General Marco Lambertini in WWF Living Planet Report 2018. Indeed, « the huge loss is a tragedy in itself but also threatens the survival of our civilisation, say the world’s leading scientists.[1]

Matthieu Mazerat

For further information:

[1]TheGuardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/30/humanity-wiped-out-animals-since-1970-major-report-findsThe BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46028862WWF LivingPlanet Report 2018:

The BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46028862

WWF Living Planet Report 2018:
https://c402277.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/publications/1187/files/original/LPR2018_Full_Report_Spreads.pdf