WWF Reports: Humanity Has Wiped Out 60% of the Global Wildlife in Just Over 40 Years

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) stated that the populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles have dropped by 60 percent since 1970 because of overexploitation and agriculture due to frequently rising human consumption.

In light of these figures, WWF called on the global community to unify for a global deal for nature and people to bend the curve on biodiversity loss.

Source: BBC

Factors of Biodiversity Loss

The WWF’s Living Planet Report 2018 shows a sobering picture of the effects of human activity on the world’s wildlife, oceans, forests, rivers and climate. Based on a recent assessment, only a quarter of land on Earth is substantively free of the impacts of human activities.

Overexploitation and agriculture are the key drivers of biodiversity decline. 75 percent of the plant, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal species that have gone extinct were harmed by overexploitation or agricultural activity or both.

“This report sounds a warning shot across our bow. Natural systems essential to our survival – forests, oceans, and rivers – remain in decline. Wildlife around the world continues to dwindle,” Carter Roberts, the President and CEO of WWF-US said.

Carter Roberts stated that the reports remind people that there is a need to change course. He expressed that it is time to balance people's consumption with the needs of nature and to preserve the only planet that is everyone's home.

Bending The curve on Biodiversity Loss

The WWF’s Living Planet Report 2018 emphasizes the rapidly closing window for action and the urgent need for wide-scale adoption of new methods to valuing, protecting and restoring nature.

“From rivers and rainforests to mangroves and mountainsides, across the planet our work shows that wildlife abundance has declined dramatically since 1970. The statistics are scary, but all hope is not lost.” the Director of Science at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Prof. Ken Norris said.

He stated that they have designed a new route forward that enables people to co-exist sustainably with the wildlife.

“Our report sets out an ambitious agenda for change. We are going to need your help to achieve it,” Prof. Ken Norris added.

A route for action on nature

Nature supplies services worth around $125 trillion a year, while also assisting in the supply of fresh air, clean water, food, energy, medicines and more which is crucial to people’s health, societies and economies.

The Living Planet Report 2018 underlines the opportunity the global community has to protect and restore nature.

WWF is calling on people, businesses and governments to mobilize and deliver on a comprehensive framework agreement for nature and people under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This action is crucial to protect and restore global biodiversity and nature.

“We are the first generation that has a clear picture of the value of nature and the enormous impact we have on it. We may also be the last that can act to reverse this trend.” The report stated.

Possible stories that may also be worth reporting

Possible Story 1

Topic: The Impacts of Oil Palm on Biodiversity Loss in Malaysia

The topic can be covered from a different perspective in Malaysia as Malaysia produces a large amount of palm oil which is also becoming an issue. Due to the massive use and efficiency of palm oil plantation, it is being overexploited until destroying ecosystems, biodiversity and support unfair human rights practices. This story can highlight how serious the issue of overexploitation for palm oil plantations is in Malaysia in order to increase the awareness of the public. At the same time, the reporters can seek the actions taken by the authorities and the suggestions by the experts to solve the issue in Malaysia. The reporters can look for the interviewees from different perspectives such as environmentalists, Minister of Environment and Water of Malaysia, and Malaysian Palm Oil Association chief executive officer.

(A) Environmentalists / Global Environment Centre director, Faizal Parish

1. How is the plantation of palm oil affecting the ecosystem and causing biodiversity loss?

2. What are the impacts of palm oil plantations spread rapidly in Malaysia?

3. What is the worst situation predicted in the future if this issue is not being solved properly?

4. What do you think is the most effective method to solve the issue of overexploitation of palm oil plantations?

(B) Minister of Environment and Water of Malaysia, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man

1. Is Malaysia facing the issue of large-scale devastation of tropical forests caused by unsustainable palm oil production currently? How serious is the situation?

2. What is the total area of forest that is being exploited to plant palm oil every year?

3. Are there any norms and laws enforced that help to control the production of palm oil?

4. Is there any policy or ways planned by the government to solve the excessive and counterproductive production of palm oil that negatively affects the environment?

(C) Malaysian Palm Oil Association chief executive officer, Datuk Mohamad Nageeb Wahab

1. What areas are usually cleared to make way for oil palm plantations?

2. Do you realise that the plantation of palm oil impacts the environment? What are your opinions on this issue?

3. What solutions or are there any precautions or rules that have been carried out to solve this issue?

Possible Story 2

Saving the Endangered Wildlife in Malaysia from Wiping Out

Malaysia is one of the most bio-diverse countries in Asia but lots of the wildlife in Malaysia is under threat. Malaysia is also facing the extinction of some species so this is also another crucial perspective to be covered. The extinction of wildlife not only arises from the overexploitation of agricultural activity, but there are also a lot of reasons that affect it. This story is to discover the factors that lead to the extinction of some species and the main focus is seeking solutions to encounter these issues in Malaysia by interviewing the Minister of Environment and Water of Malaysia, CEO World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia and the

(A) Minister of Environment and Water of Malaysia, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man

1. What is your opinion on the extinction of wildlife in Malaysia? Is this considered a serious issue in Malaysia?

2. What precautions have been taken by the government to protect the endangered species in Malaysia?

3. It is stated that the NGOs have repeatedly warned to stop the destructive activities but little has been done in addressing the critical solution. What approach do you think can settle this problem?

(B) Executive Director / CEO World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia, Sophia Lim

1. What are the human activities that lead to the extinction of wildlife in Malaysia? 2. What is the biggest drive among them?

3. What do you think is the most efficient method to prevent the extinction of wildlife in Malaysia?

4. What is your advice to the public on the issues of wildlife extinction?

(c) Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) director-general, Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim

1. What are the threatened species in Malaysia currently?

2. How many species of animals in Malaysia are facing extinction? How endangered is the Malaysia Wildlife?

3. What are the main reasons that cause the death of wildlife? How do human activities affect the ecosystem of wildlife?

4. What are the biggest challenges of protecting endangered species in Malaysia?