Global Wildlife Populations Plummet 73% in 50 Years, Pushing Ecosystems to the Brink
A new report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has revealed that global wildlife populations have plummeted by 73% over the past 50 years, a dire warning that ecosystems around the world are nearing dangerous tipping points.
The 2024 Living Planet Report highlights the devastating impact human activities are having on nature, particularly through habitat destruction, overexploitation, and climate change. Some regions have been hit harder than others, with Latin America and the Caribbean seeing a staggering 95% decline in wildlife populations.
The report draws on data from the Living Planet Index, which tracks nearly 35,000 population trends across 5,495 species. Freshwater ecosystems have been hit the hardest, with an 85% decline, followed by land-based ecosystems at 69%, and marine ecosystems at 56%. The Amazon rainforest and coral reefs are especially vulnerable, with threats like deforestation and mass coral bleaching now reaching alarming levels.
One of the report's most shocking findings is the decline of specific species populations. For instance, the Amazon pink river dolphin population has dropped by 65%, and there has been a 57% decline in nesting female hawksbill turtles in Australia. While there have been some conservation successes, such as the recovery of mountain gorillas in East Africa and European bison populations in central Europe, these isolated wins are not enough to reverse the broader decline.
Wildlife and ecosystems are being pushed to their limits, says Director General of WWF International
According to Dr. Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, "Nature is issuing a distress call."
She warned that wildlife and ecosystems are being pushed to their limits, with global tipping points like the collapse of the Amazon rainforest posing severe threats to both the environment and humanity. Once these tipping points are crossed, the consequences could be irreversible, impacting everything from food security to clean water supplies.
Scientists are increasingly concerned about how much time is left to address these challenges. Matthew Gould, Chief Executive of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), stressed that the world is “dangerously close to tipping points” but emphasised that nature can recover if given the opportunity. However, he added that the next five years will be critical in determining whether global conservation goals for 2030 can be met.
Experts like Tom Oliver, Professor of Ecology at the University of Reading, agree, warning that while the Living Planet Index data has its limitations, it still provides a "robust – and worrying – picture of global biodiversity collapse." Habitat degradation, driven mainly by agricultural expansion, continues to be the largest threat to wildlife, with tropical forests and coral reefs among the most endangered ecosystems.
As world leaders prepare to meet for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Colombia, there is increasing pressure on governments to take bold action. WWF is calling for more ambitious national nature and climate plans, urging countries to align their environmental policies with international agreements like the Paris Accord and the Global Biodiversity Framework. Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister and COP16 president, echoed these concerns, warning that “globally, we are reaching points of no return.”
The report is an urgent wake-up call, with WWF and other environmental organisations emphasising that the next five years are crucial to reversing the damage. Despite the grim outlook, conservationists believe that with immediate and coordinated global efforts, it is still possible to restore ecosystems and bring wildlife populations back from the brink. But the time to act is now.
