The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) latest Living Planet Report (LPR) has issued a stark warning that the planet is teetering on the edge of irreversible tipping points due to massive declines in wildlife populations and the accelerating climate crisis. Over the past 50 years (1970–2020), the world has witnessed a staggering 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations, raising alarms about the health of the planet’s ecosystems.
According to the report, wildlife populations in Latin America and the Caribbean have suffered the most, with a shocking 95% decline, while Africa has seen a 76% drop and the Asia-Pacific region a 60% decline. The greatest losses have been recorded in freshwater ecosystems, with an 85% decrease, followed by terrestrial ecosystems (69%) and marine environments (56%).
The report highlights that habitat destruction, driven primarily by unsustainable food systems, overexploitation of natural resources, invasive species, and climate change, are the leading causes of this biodiversity collapse. Dr. Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, described the situation as a "distress call from nature," warning that global ecosystems are nearing dangerous tipping points that could disrupt essential life-support systems such as clean air, water, and food.
These tipping points could trigger cascading effects, with the dieback of the Amazon rainforest and mass coral reef bleaching being among the most critical threats. The Amazon, which experienced its highest fire levels in 14 years in September, is a vital carbon sink, while coral reefs support marine life and coastal communities. The loss of these ecosystems could have far-reaching consequences for global food security and livelihoods.
While some wildlife populations have seen improvements due to successful conservation efforts—such as the 3% annual increase in mountain gorillas in East Africa and the comeback of European Bison in central Europe—these isolated successes are insufficient to reverse the broader trend of biodiversity decline.
The report calls for urgent action from world leaders ahead of upcoming international biodiversity and climate summits, including COP16 and COP29. WWF urges countries to strengthen their national climate and biodiversity plans, reduce overconsumption, halt biodiversity loss, and align public and private investments with sustainable development goals.
Dr. Schuijt emphasised that the decisions made over the next five years will determine the future of life on Earth. The report also calls for greater public and private funding and stronger policy integration to address both the climate and nature crises before it’s too late.