<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/13/almost-70-of-animal-populations-wiped-out-since-1970-report-reveals-aoe>
"Earth’s wildlife populations have plunged by an average of 69% in just under
50 years, according to a leading scientific assessment, as humans continue to
clear forests, consume beyond the limits of the planet and pollute on an
industrial scale.
From the open ocean to tropical rainforests, the abundance of birds, fish,
amphibians and reptiles is in freefall, declining on average by more than
two-thirds between 1970 and 2018, according to the WWF and Zoological Society
of London’s (ZSL) biennial Living Planet Report. Two years ago, the figure
stood at 68%, four years ago, it was at 60%.
Many scientists believe we are living through the sixth mass extinction – the
largest loss of life on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs – and that it is
being driven by humans. The report’s 89 authors are urging world leaders to
reach an ambitious agreement at the Cop15 biodiversity summit in Canada this
December and to slash carbon emissions to limit global heating to below 1.5C
this decade to halt the rampant destruction of nature.
The Living Planet Index combines global analysis of 32,000 populations of 5,230
animal species to measure changes in the abundance of wildlife across
continents and taxa, producing a graph akin to a stock index of life on Earth.
Latin America and the Caribbean region – including the Amazon – has seen the
steepest decline in average wildlife population size, with a 94% drop in 48
years. Tanya Steele, chief executive at WWF-UK, said: “This report tells us
that the worst declines are in the Latin America region, home to the world’s
largest rainforest, the Amazon. Deforestation rates there are accelerating,
stripping this unique ecosystem not just of trees but of the wildlife that
depends on them and of the Amazon’s ability to act as one of our greatest
allies in the fight against climate change.”
Africa had the second largest fall at 66%, followed by Asia and the Pacific
with 55% and North America at 20%. Europe and Central Asia experienced an 18%
fall. The total loss is akin to the human population of Europe, the Americas,
Africa, Oceania and China disappearing, according to the report."
Via Doug Senko, who wrote "This is nice. Who needs freaking animals, anyway?
:-("
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
