Nature is simply dying before our eyes. From 1970 to 2020, the average size of wild animal populations decreased by 73%. This means that only 27% of what is called the "living planet" remains from 50 years ago. Entire ecosystems are at risk, and consequently, human life on Earth. BBC describes it as a "catastrophic loss of species and ecosystems on the edge".
WWF: We Have Lost 73% of the Living Planet
Freshwater ecosystems have experienced the most drastic decline, with an 85% decrease in populations. Land species populations have decreased by 69%, while marine populations have fallen by 56%. The report was based on more than 5,000 populations of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish monitored over five decades. "Scientists warn that this is a catastrophic result and caution against approaching tipping points. Once these are crossed, humans may be the next endangered species," the report states.
The worst situation is in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the average population of species has fallen by 95%. The situation in the Amazon rainforest, which is dying, is especially dire. The Amazon accounts for 10% of the planet's biodiversity, stores between 250 and 300 billion tons of carbon, and is home to 47 million people.
If, due to deforestation and climate change, environmental conditions in much of the Amazon become unsuitable for tropical forest, an irreversible change will occur. The Amazon will shift from being a carbon sink to a source of emissions due to fires and plant die-offs
- warns WWF. Up to 75 billion tons of carbon could then be released into the atmosphere.
Elephants, Dolphins, and Penguins Are Dying
The situation is also dire in Africa, where there has been a 76% decline. The population of African forest elephants is the most at risk, having declined by 78-81%. The primary culprits are poachers trading in ivory.
Poland Also Faces Nature
Protection
Problems
Europe ranks last in terms of nature loss, with a 35% decline on our continent. Poland also struggles with nature conservation. Only 20% of natural habitats and about 38% of protected species in our country are in good condition, according to the Polish branch of WWF.
"At first glance, biodiversity loss may seem like a distant problem. However, its effects are already visible here and now. The consequences of the September floods in southern Poland, flash floods paralyzing cities, droughts, and heatwaves are increasingly severe without adequate natural resources," notes Dariusz Gatkowski, biodiversity advisor at WWF Poland.
WWF Calls on World Governments to Reverse These Negative Trends
"By 2030, we should increase protected areas to 30% of the planet’s land and marine surface, as well as restore 30% of degraded ecosystems," appeals WWF. WWF Poland has joined these calls, sending a petition to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
An Appeal to Governments: Will They Listen?
Saving the natural resources of our planet must begin immediately to avoid irreversible, catastrophic changes for life on Earth. This mission requires a green transformation in the food, energy, and financial systems, but key to it is creating new and expanding existing protected areas, combined with restoring natural resources
- reads the letter.
Among the demands from activists is a plan to extend consistent protection over 30% of Poland's land area and 30% of its seas, the creation of new national parks, and the expansion of existing ones to reach an average European protection level of at least 3.4% of the country's territory by 2030.
Environmentalists have also referred to the Nature Restoration Law regulation. They highlighted two key points: the preparation of a National Plan for the Restoration of Natural Resources by September 1, 2026, and "taking actions to create a special fund within the EU budget for implementing national natural resource restoration plans."
When a species population drops below a certain level, it can cause the entire ecosystem to become less resilient, which also undermines the benefits ecosystems provide to people – such as food, clean water, or climate regulation
- WWF warns in the report.
