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Mankind today is directly responsible for wiping out more than quarter of animals on our planet in the last 35 years. WWF reports that while human population has increased by 60%, the overall decline of other species amounts to 27% - a number that could be increased dramatically by climate change.
The loss of biodiversity on our planet is dramatic and getting critical. According to WWF the overall decrease in animal population since 1970 is more than quarter, with some species being brought down dramatically and close to extinction:
- Hippopotamus population down 96%
- Swordfish population down 78%
- River dolphin population down 70%
- Chimpanzee population down 55%
WWF identifies the causes of this loss of biodiversity as: habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species or genes, pollution, and climate change.
WWF has also calculated the Ecological Footprint per person for the whole world, which clearly shows how unsustainable we use the resources of our planet. Humanity’s footprint first overgrew the capacity of the earth in 1980, and human demand has now over stretched supply by 25%.
This depletion of the earth’s ecological assets has accompanied by a human population growth of 60% resulted in an overexploitation of animals as a source of food. Population growth and the growing need for resources has also resulted in habitat loss, and when we add both pollution and climate change the future outlook for the other species we share our planet with looks grim.
Scientists have warned that the last factor, climate change, may account for the loss of two thirds of species – 16,000 animal species – by 2050. When everything is put together we find ourselves in the mist of what scientists call the sixth extinction.
From all the evidence there is little doubt that mankind is to blame for this dramatic loss of biodiversity. Therefore, as responsible for this biocide, we humans are also the species that will have to stop this mass extinction.
But why should you care? If you don’t feel natural compassion for life in general, then at least you should know that the loss of biodiversity along with our over-consumption is predicted to result in a severe food crisis.
We are already experiencing food riots in many third world countries, but as animal species run low and become extinct these riots can spread and increase dramatically.
Many people in poorer countries will suffer and in first world countries we may not be going to war over oil but over water and food instead.
To help turn our planet around, you must Act Now:
- Write your minister today and ask what your government is doing to avert this crisis.
- Find out which food sources are running low and Stop Eating these species.
- Advocate technology sharing with third world countries so that their food production becomes more efficient and less damaging to biodiversity.
- Take up this critical issue and start campaigning!
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