YK Poudel
A new report paints a dire picture of global wildlife, revealing a staggering 73 percent decline in populations over the past 50 years.
The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report (LPR) 2024 underscores the urgent need for immediate action to avert irreversible ecological collapse.
The LPR 2024 indicates that monitored wildlife populations have shrunk by an average of 73 percent between 1970 and 2020.
As the earth approaches dangerous tipping points due to climate change and biodiversity loss, experts warn that collective efforts are essential in the next five years to confront these interlinked crises.
Data from the Living Planet Index (LPI), which analyses nearly 35,000 population trends of 5,495 species, reveals alarming declines across various ecosystems. Freshwater ecosystems have seen an 85 percent reduction, followed by terrestrial ecosystems at 69 percent and marine environments at 56 percent. Habitat loss, primarily driven by food production systems, has emerged as the most significant threat to wildlife, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
The country director of WWF-Bhutan, Chimi Rinzin, said, “While the Living Planet Report Index shows a worrying state of biodiversity loss and climate change, it also reminds us of the strength of our collective efforts. Some wildlife populations have stabilized and increased due to effective conservation measures.”
The report underscores the link between declining wildlife populations and increasing extinction risks. Healthy ecosystems provide vital services such as clean air, water, and fertile soils. When these ecosystems falter, they become more susceptible to tipping points—critical thresholds beyond which significant, irreversible changes occur. Examples of such tipping points include the dieback of the Amazon rainforest and the mass bleaching of coral reefs, both of which could disrupt food security and livelihoods worldwide.
In Bhutan, a WWF-Bhutan survey found that around 40 percent of respondents noticed climate change’s impact on biodiversity in Jigme Dorji National Park.
Many reported shifts in species ranges, with some wildlife encroaching on human communities. This trend reflects a complex interplay between wildlife dynamics and human activity as communities adapt to environmental changes.
The survey also found that 45 percent of respondents from Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary reported shifts in wildlife ranges, indicating both an increase in some species and declines in others, such as elephants and tigers. “Wildlife is increasingly affected by habitat degradation and diminished food sources, a situation exacerbated by climate change.”
Chimi Rinzin emphasised that the new strategic plan for Bhutan centers on climate adaptation and resilience, as well as freshwater protection and conservation. “This approach is crucial for building resilience in both nature and communities,” he said.
The LPR also highlights successful conservation efforts that have led to population increases in some species, such as mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of East Africa, which have seen a 3 percent annual growth between 2010 and 2016.
In Bhutan, the Biodiversity Monitoring Grid report released in July revealed a diverse array of species, affirming the country’s status as a biodiversity hotspot.
Despite the alarming findings, the LPR offers a glimmer of hope.
Previous international agreements, like the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement, establish ambitious goals to halt nature loss and curb climate change. However, the report stresses that national commitments and on-the-ground actions must increase significantly to meet 2030 targets and avoid catastrophic tipping points.
Bhutan has made strides in this regard. The country’s second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) submitted to the UNFCCC reaffirm its commitment to carbon neutrality while providing a detailed action plan. The Low Energy Development Strategies target key sectors including agriculture, transport, and industry, focusing on sustainable practices to mitigate climate impacts.
The upcoming international summits, COP16 and COP29, present a crucial opportunity for countries to enhance their nature and climate plans. WWF urges nations to adopt more ambitious National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and NDCs, emphasising the need to reduce global overconsumption and halt biodiversity loss in an equitable manner.
“Nature-based solutions that leverage the power of ecosystems can significantly contribute to tackling societal challenges, including climate change,” Chimi Rinzin said. “Restoring forests, wetlands, and mangroves can improve biodiversity, bolster food security, and enhance resilience against extreme weather events.”
The steepest wildlife population declines were recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean (-95 percent), Africa (-76 percent), and the Asia-Pacific region (-60 percent. The report warns that failing to act now could lead to global tipping points that would devastate ecosystems and threaten humanity’s survival.
“Countries must recognize the interdependence of climate stability and biodiversity conservation,” Chimi Rinzin said. “The next five years will be pivotal in shaping the future of our planet. Together, we have the power and opportunity to change the trajectory.”