Biodiversity falls as consumption soars
In order to gauge the state of the planet’s biological riches, WWF used two indicators: the Living Planet Index, which tracks the population trends among 241 fish, 83 amphibian, 40 reptile, 811 bird and 302 mammal species; and the Ecological Footprint, which measures human demand on the plant.
As natural variety continues its downward spiral, global consumption is increasing to unprecedented levels. Between 1970 and 2005, land-based species fell in number by 25 per cent, marine species by 28 per cent and freshwater species by 29 per cent – habitat destruction and wildlife trade are cited as the biggest causes of decline, with climate change expected to make an increasing impact in the next three decades. In the meantime, our ecological footprint is growing – we now consume a quarter more natural resources than the planet can replace. In the UK alone, we are generating carbon emissions and consuming natural resources at such a rate that we would need three planets to support us, according to WWF.
‘Biodiversity isn’t just a green issue – it’s the life-support system of our planet, providing food, fuel, fibre, medicines and services such as pollination, soil fertility and clean water,’ said Gordon Shepherd, WWF International’s director of international policy. ‘We have to integrate biodiversity in all policies. The loss of biodiversity is now affecting the economy of our countries through the depletion of fish stocks in our oceans through overfishing and illegal fishing to agricultural activities polluting river basins.’
Some 6,000 delegates from 191 countries gathered in Bonn, Germany, at the end of May for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and although they agreed to develop measures to counter loss of biodiversity and protect marine wildlife and rainforests, WWF said that they had failed to produce clear targets and timelines.
August 2008
As natural variety continues its downward spiral, global consumption is increasing to unprecedented levels. Between 1970 and 2005, land-based species fell in number by 25 per cent, marine species by 28 per cent and freshwater species by 29 per cent – habitat destruction and wildlife trade are cited as the biggest causes of decline, with climate change expected to make an increasing impact in the next three decades. In the meantime, our ecological footprint is growing – we now consume a quarter more natural resources than the planet can replace. In the UK alone, we are generating carbon emissions and consuming natural resources at such a rate that we would need three planets to support us, according to WWF.
‘Biodiversity isn’t just a green issue – it’s the life-support system of our planet, providing food, fuel, fibre, medicines and services such as pollination, soil fertility and clean water,’ said Gordon Shepherd, WWF International’s director of international policy. ‘We have to integrate biodiversity in all policies. The loss of biodiversity is now affecting the economy of our countries through the depletion of fish stocks in our oceans through overfishing and illegal fishing to agricultural activities polluting river basins.’
Some 6,000 delegates from 191 countries gathered in Bonn, Germany, at the end of May for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and although they agreed to develop measures to counter loss of biodiversity and protect marine wildlife and rainforests, WWF said that they had failed to produce clear targets and timelines.
August 2008
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