Living Planet Report 2024

Why in the news?

• Recently, 'Living Planet Report 2024' was released regarding the status of wildlife.

Living Planet Report:

• This is a biennial report
• It is released by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Key findings of the report:

• According to the report, the average size of wildlife population has declined by 73% in the last 50 years during the year 1970-2020.
  • This decline was 69% in the report of the year 2022.
• The most rapid decline in wildlife population has been recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean (95%), Africa (76%), Asia-Pacific (60%).
• The highest decline in the report has been recorded in freshwater ecosystems at 85%.
• This is followed by a 69% decline in terrestrial ecosystems and a 56% decline in marine ecosystems.
• The report discusses the dire consequences of losing some of the most valuable ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest and coral reefs.
• The report cites pollution as an additional threat to wildlife populations in Asia and the Pacific, which have declined by an average of 60%.
• The report says that when the population of a species falls below a certain level, that species is no longer able to perform its normal role in the ecosystem.
  • These include seed dispersal, pollination, grazing, nutrient cycling and many other processes that keep the ecosystem functioning.
• The biggest threat to wildlife populations worldwide is habitat loss and degradation.
• he report also highlights other risks including overexploitation, climate change, pollution, introduction of invasive species and introduction of new diseases.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF):

• It is an international non-governmental organization.
• It was founded in the year 1961.
•  Headquarters - Gland (Switzerland)
• Its objective is to protect endangered species of wildlife and preserve natural habitats.
• Reports published by WWF –
  • Living Planet Report
  • Living Planet Index
  • Ecological Footprint Calculation