Earth’s wildlife populations have declined by 73% in just 50 years, according to the WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024.

The findings highlight an alarming crisis as ecosystems collapse and biodiversity vanishes at unprecedented rates. 

Scientists warn that humanity’s future depends on urgent action to reverse this trajectory.

Freshwater species have been hit the hardest, with populations plummeting by 85%. Terrestrial wildlife declined by 69%, while marine populations shrank by 56%.

Latin America and the Caribbean saw the steepest regional decline, losing 95% of its wildlife populations since 1970. Africa and Asia-Pacific recorded wildlife losses of 76% and 60%, respectively.

In Europe and North America, 35% and 39% declines reflect earlier damage, with some populations stabilizing due to conservation efforts. Still, global trends show an urgent need for action.

The WWF report highlights the risk of tipping points, where ecosystems cross irreversible thresholds. Deforestation has reached 14–17% in the Amazon rainforest, nearing the 20–25% tipping point that could transform the region into a savanna.

Coral reefs face equally dire predictions, with 70–90% likely to disappear even if global warming is capped at 1.5°C. The melting of Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets could trigger catastrophic sea level rises while thawing permafrost threatens to release vast amounts of carbon and methane.

Humanity’s reliance on nature makes this crisis especially urgent. Over 55% of global GDP—around $58 trillion—is tied to ecosystem services like clean water and climate stability. Yet, the same food and energy systems that drive our economies are accelerating environmental destruction.

Food systems alone account for 40% of habitable land use and over 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite record production, 30–40% of all food is wasted, representing a massive loss of resources. Meanwhile, the energy transition to renewables remains far too slow.

While global renewable energy capacity has doubled in the past decade, annual investments must triple to $4.5 trillion by 2030. The report also emphasizes the need for equitable access to renewable energy, with 770 million people still lacking electricity.

Amid these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Indigenous communities, who manage 25% of the world’s land and 35% of protected areas, have proven highly effective in conservation. Success stories like the recovery of European bison and Dalmatian pelicans show what’s possible.

Nature-based solutions could be pivotal, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10–19% annually while restoring biodiversity and supporting livelihoods. Redirecting just 7.7% of harmful subsidies could fill funding gaps for global conservation efforts.

The WWF warns that the next five years will determine whether humanity can reverse course. Without coordinated action, runaway biodiversity loss and climate change will trigger cycles of irreversible damage, threatening both ecosystems and economies.

“This isn’t just about saving animals—it’s about saving ourselves,” said María Susana Muhamad González, Colombia’s Minister of Environment. “Our policies, economies, and lifestyles must align with the realities of nature before it’s too late.”