A conservation charity has urged leaders to work together to halt the devastation of the natural world.
On Tuesday, October 10, Marwell Wildlife made its call following the publication of the 2024 Living Planet Report, which highlights a staggering 73 percent decline in wildlife populations over the last 50 years.
The report, produced by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), warns that the planet is nearing potentially catastrophic tipping points if current trends persist.
Freshwater species, such as the white-clawed crayfish, which Marwell is preparing to breed within its facilities, have experienced the most significant declines.
The primary driver of biodiversity loss is habitat degradation, largely due to human food production, which occupies 40 percent of all habitable land and accounts for 70 percent of water usage.
The report underscores the need for sweeping changes in food production, energy, and financial systems to reverse the decline.
Marwell Wildlife has a history of championing sustainability. It became the first zoo in the world to use animal waste as fuel to heat its largest buildings.
In 2023, the charity announced it had achieved carbon neutrality following a series of behavioral changes.
Laura Read, chief executive of Marwell Wildlife, emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, "Never before has the natural world been under such threat as a direct result of human activity."
She added that the WWF report provides further evidence supporting the call for robust actions to prevent further loss of wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems worldwide.
Professor Philip Riordan, director of conservation at Marwell Wildlife, described the report's findings as "truly alarming," highlighting the urgency of the situation.