October 13, 2010
WWF: Global biodiversity down 30 percent since 1970 — 60 percent of tropical species extinct
WWF’s 2010 Living Planet Report [pdf] is the world’s leading, science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity on the planet. The biennial report explores the changing state of biodiversity, ecosystems and peoples’ consumption of natural resources. It also explores the implications of these changes for the future of human health, wealth and well being. This analysis has been produced in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London and the Global Footprint Network. It uses the global Living Planet Index as a measure of the health of almost 8,000 populations of more than 2,500 species and is one of the longest running measures of global biodiversity trends. Key Findings
- Global biodiversity is down 30 percent since 1970. This decline is due mostly to habitat loss in tropical regions, where biodiversity has declined by 60 percent.
- Many species have experienced significant population declines in recent years, including Atlantic bluefin tuna, peary caribou and whale sharks. One species, the white-rumped vulture, declined by more than 50 percent between 2000-2007, while the population of leatherback turtles fell 20 percent between 1989-2002.
- Natural resources are being consumed faster than the Earth is replenishing them. We are currently consuming the equivalent of 1.5 planets to support human activities. If current trends continue, by 2030 we will need the capacity of two planets to meet natural resource consumption needs and absorb CO2 waste.
- Humanity’s ecological footprint has doubled since 1966, largely because of the carbon footprint, which has increased 11-fold since 1961.
- There are solutions to ensure Earth can sustain a global population projected to surpass nine billion by 2050. One example is the important role companies can play by sourcing, producing and purchasing raw materials that are sustainably harvested.
