Wildlife Population Declines by Three Quarters Since 1970

worldwide - The WWF's Living Planet Report 2024 reveals a 73 percent decline in the populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles since 1970.

According to the Living Planet Report 2024 published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the global population sizes of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles have decreased by an average of 73 percent since 1970.

The report highlights the alarming rate at which nature is disappearing. Between 1970 and 2020, the populations in the wild have decreased by an average of 73 percent. This data is based on nearly 35,000 population trends of 5,495 species. The largest losses were seen in Latin America and the Caribbean (-95 percent), with freshwater species experiencing the most significant decline at 85 percent.

Ravic Nijbroek, head of the scientific team of WWF-Netherlands, expressed his concerns stating, "It is shocking that the world will permanently change if world leaders do not act quickly. The Living Planet Report clearly shows that irreversible changes are approaching. If we surpass these tipping points, our food and energy systems will be completely disrupted, leaving us with no way back."

WWF emphasizes that it is not too late to save our living planet, but it will require significant changes. Besides preserving and restoring nature, addressing the root causes of destruction by drastically reforming our food, energy, and financial systems is essential.

WWF calls on countries to develop and implement ambitious nature and climate plans to combat this crisis.