As global environmental leaders gather in Colombia for COP16, the UN’s biodiversity conference, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has issued a dire warning in its latest Living Planet report. The report reveals that endangered species of wild vertebrate populations have declined by a staggering 73 percent since 1970 alone. Among the species highlighted in the report are African forest elephants, leatherback turtles in Guyana, and river trout in mainland France, painting a grim picture of the state of biodiversity across the globe.
In an interview with WWF France’s Chief Executive Officer Véronique Andrieux, the urgency of the situation is underscored. With the planet on the brink of burnout, it is crucial for global leaders to take action to curb the decline in wildlife populations and protect our natural ecosystems.
The opening of COP16 serves as a crucial platform for discussions on biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices. As world leaders convene to address the pressing environmental challenges facing our planet, it is essential that concrete steps are taken to ensure the survival of endangered species and the protection of our natural habitats.
The time to act is now, before it is too late for not only the African forest elephants, leatherback turtles, and river trout, but for all the precious species that call our planet home. Only through collective and decisive action can we hope to reverse the dangerous trends highlighted in the WWF’s Living Planet report and secure a sustainable future for all life on Earth.
Watch the video by FRANCE 24 English
Video “'Nature is on the brink of burnout,' WWF warns as COP16 biodiversity summit opens • FRANCE 24” was uploaded on 10/21/2024 to Youtube Channel FRANCE 24 English