Man destroyed 60 percent of all animals in the last 50 years

WWF warns: Vertebrate population has dropped 60 percent

"The earth is facing a burn-out," warns one of the largest international nature and environmental organizations. A recent report shows that humans have reduced the stock of all wild vertebrates by 60 percent in the last 50 years. This is primarily the result of human exploitation of nature.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recently published a frightening report indicating that the global population of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish has fallen dramatically. Humans have reduced the stock of all vertebrates by 60 percent. In the freshwater animals, the stock had even fallen by 83 percent. In addition, more than half of all corals have been destroyed within the last 30 years. The "Living Planet Report 2018" can be viewed free of charge on the WWF website.

It's getting dark in the wildlife. For many species it is unclear whether the sun will rise again for them. (Image: delbars / fotolia.com)

Man beats mother nature

"The pressure on the livestock by human activities has continued to increase," write the environmentalists of the WWF. The increased use of natural land, deforestation, illegal hunting, overfishing and unsustainable agriculture has reduced over half of all wildlife in just 50 years.

Dizzying statistics

WWF calls the latest numbers describing the impact of human activities on wildlife, forests, oceans, and rivers dizzying. The environmental organization compared the current flocks of more than 4,000 vertebrate species with the stocks 50 years ago, and found a dramatic loss. The heaviest is the decline in freshwater species in Central and South America. Here, the stock has declined by as much as 94 percent. In addition, 20 percent of the entire Amazon region and about half of all coral stocks were destroyed.

We take more than the earth can handle

"In the past 50 years, the demand for natural goods has risen enormously," write the environmental experts at WWF. At present, man uses the earth's resources faster than nature can renew them. The WWF relies on calculations that show that we would need 1.7 Earths to cover our current consumption. But we only have one earth.

Switzerland as a negative example

According to the WWF, Switzerland needs as many as three earths to satisfy the current hunger for resources in the long term. In Switzerland, there are so many endangered species, as in hardly any other country. "More than a third of the plant, animal and fungus species in Switzerland are threatened, 255 species are already extinct," according to the WWF. The quality of natural habitats is steadily decreasing, even in protected areas.

What value does our nature have??

"We urgently need to rethink how we use nature and what value we attach to it - culturally, economically and on our political agenda", warns Thomas Vellacott, the managing director of WWF Switzerland, in a press release on the report. A healthy and sustainable future for all is only possible on a planet where nature thrives.

Environmental protection is also human protection

In addition to the decline in vertebrates, the rapidly increasing insect deaths are alarming. "In forests, oceans and rivers, we need a diverse life with healthy plants and animals," explains Vellacott. Nature is indispensable for humanity! WWF is now campaigning for a new global deal between humans and nature. This deal should include international political agreements and be manifested by 2020.

What future do we want?

After all these indigestible numbers, there is also something positive to report. Changes show effect: As WWF reports, the stocks of endangered humpback whales, pandas and tigers have recovered in recent years due to conservation measures. "This good news must become the norm," says Vellacott. But we would need a complete U-turn instead of continuing as before.

In 2020, nature will be judged

According to the WWF, many political processes are currently underway, providing a unique opportunity to stem the loss of biodiversity. In 2020, world leaders will review progress on sustainable development (SDG), the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). "That's why we're calling on people, businesses and governments to mobilize and implement a comprehensive nature and people deal in 2020," concludes Vellacott. Everyone is called upon to do so: states, companies, the financial community, science, civil society and every single individual. (Vb)