Report: Catastrophic decline in global biodiversity

WWF specialists warn that we are on the verge of the sixth mass extinction of biodiversity, an extinction that, this time, is caused by human activities. In this context, the decisions taken at global level in the next five years are crucial for the future of the planet. Already, global deforestation has intensified in 2023, despite pledges to halt forest degradation by the end of the decade.

Wildlife populations across the planet have suffered a shocking 73% decline in just 50 years, according to WWF's latest Living Planet Report. This dramatic loss signals the highest level of nature degradation in the Anthropocene era, fueling concerns about the future of life on Earth.

• Latin America and the Caribbean: a devastating decline

The most affected regions are Latin America and the Caribbean, where wildlife populations have declined by 95%, followed by Africa (-76%) and Asia-Pacific (-60%). The main causes include massive deforestation for agriculture and food production, overexploitation of natural resources, the spread of invasive species and disease. Climate change is also exacerbating this crisis, especially in tropical regions.

• "The Sixth Mass Extinction"

• Romania: an ecological landscape in danger

At the national level, WWF Romania draws attention to serious problems that contribute to the degradation of biodiversity. Excessive use of pesticides, intensive agriculture, illegal logging and poaching are just some of the threats that endanger iconic species and fragile ecosystems. Moreover, the recently adopted law allowing trophy hunting for the bear species raises serious concerns regarding the protection of wildlife. Another major danger is unsustainable infrastructure that ignores the long-term impact on the environment. For example, large infrastructure projects on the Danube threaten efforts to restore sturgeon populations. WWF Romania, through its conservation programs, intends to release 900,000 sturgeon fry in the next four years, but the future of this species remains uncertain.

• Freshwater ecosystems: the greatest decline

The Living Planet report highlights an 85% decline in populations in freshwater ecosystems, followed by terrestrial (-69%) and marine (-56%). These ecosystems can no longer provide the essential services that humanity depends on - clean water, fresh air, fertile soils and carbon storage capacity. The irreversible degradation of ecosystems, such as the Amazon forest or coral reefs, could trigger domino effects, endangering global food security and the livelihoods of millions of people.

• A path to recovery

WWF advocates for nature-based solutions (NbS) such as restoring forests, wetlands and coral reefs. These measures can play a crucial role in combating climate change and protecting biodiversity. In Romania, WWF is actively involved in the development of the new Forestry Code and in the identification of areas of high conservation value, with the aim of protecting 10% of the country's forested area. In addition, the organization supports the restoration of wetlands along the Danube and Delta, where 85% of the meadow and a third of the Delta have been lost in the last 100 years. Through ecological reconstruction works and an open dialogue between the authorities and local communities, Romania has a real chance to repair some of the human-caused damage. Despite the bleak outlook, there is still hope. Conservation efforts have paid off in some cases, such as the growth of the bison population in the Southwest Carpathians. But such isolated successes are not enough to reverse global trends. WWF emphasizes that the actions taken in the next five years will be decisive for the future of life on Earth. The crises of biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected and require urgent and coordinated solutions. The Living Planet 2024 report is an urgent call for governments, corporations and citizens to act now to protect biodiversity and combat climate change. The future of the planet and future generations depends on the decisions and actions of today.