ISTANBUL
A representative from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has called for a unified approach to address the climate and biodiversity crises over the next five years, highlighting the significant threats to global biodiversity.
The WWF, in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London, released the 15th Living Planet Report, a premier science-based evaluation of the planet’s health and the effects of human actions.
Published biennially, the report indicates that the average size of tracked wildlife populations has diminished by 73% in the last 50 years.
This data encompasses nearly 35,000 population trends from over 5,400 species spanning from 1970 to 2020. The most pronounced decline in wildlife populations occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a staggering reduction of 95%, followed by Africa at 76%, and the Asia-Pacific region at 60%.
Guner Ergun, conservation director of WWF Türkiye, informed Anadolu that the decline in wildlife populations serves as an early indicator of potential losses in healthy ecosystems.
Ergun emphasized that the report presents alarming findings regarding vertebrate animal species, stating that the 73% drop in average wildlife population size over just five decades is “the most striking” result.
“These ecosystem losses pose considerable and significant threats to humanity’s future,” he remarked.
The most severe declines were observed in freshwater populations, which plummeted by 85%. In contrast, land ecosystems experienced a 69% reduction, and marine ecosystems saw a 56% drop, he added.
The WWF representative cautioned that if the decline in populations persists, ecosystem services may fail to function optimally.
‘Our Food Systems Contribute 27% to Greenhouse Gas Emissions’
Highlighting that food systems significantly impact biodiversity, Ergun stated, “Our food systems are accountable for 27% of current greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of freshwater consumption.”
“They also contribute to the loss of 86% of living species, including birds and mammals, due to habitat destruction, which in turn leads to biodiversity loss. Consequently, emerging practices such as climate-resilient agriculture, agroecology, and regenerative agriculture aim to mitigate these damages.”
He noted that critical global threshold points, such as the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and the widespread bleaching of coral reefs, risk generating shockwaves that extend beyond their ecosystems, resulting in global food security and livelihood challenges.
Pollution Endangers Fish Species
Ergun pointed out that Türkiye is pivotal in its geographical context, boasting diverse wetlands and hosting numerous migratory bird species. However, water scarcity and periodic desiccation in wetlands occur due to threats such as overexploitation, pollution, unregulated construction, and climate change.
He emphasized that one of the major contributors to the degradation of wetlands is ineffective irrigation methods in agriculture, with urban, industrial, and agricultural pollution adversely impacting aquatic health and threatening the extinction of various fish species.
COP16 and COP29 Present New Prospects for Nations
Ergun remarked that the commitments made by countries and the actions undertaken to achieve the 2030 targets fall significantly short of what is necessary. He noted that the UN’s COP16 conference on biodiversity and COP29 offer fresh opportunities for nations to take decisive actions in line with the magnitude of the challenges ahead.
“In terms of the 2030 objectives, this five-year window is crucial for us. We are entering a pivotal phase, and it is essential that all nations collaborate to ensure we do not surpass critical thresholds.”
“To achieve this, we must fully adhere to the outcomes derived from the commitments made at the Conference of the Parties. It is imperative that we utilize these five years effectively, both nationally and globally,” Ergun asserted.
The UN’s COP16 conference on biodiversity, the largest global nature protection summit, officially commenced on Monday in Cali, Colombia.
COP29, the 29th annual UN Climate Change Conference, will convene world leaders, negotiators, and environmental experts to evaluate progress in combating climate change and advancing the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
COP29 is set to take place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.
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