Global ‘decline of life on Earth’ revealed as scientists warn a MILLION species ‘risk extinction’
TOP scientists have warned of a "global decline of life on Earth" – and say humans are to blame.
As many as a million species of plants and animals risk extinction, many within a matter of decades, they say.
The warning comes in the first global-scale assessment of the links between people and nature.
Human activity is blamed for the rapid decline of "the fabric of life on which we all depend", scientists explain in the first paper from the IPBES Global Assessment Report.
Most of the damage is linked to the sharp rise in "human impact" since the 1970s.
Scientists say this is due to a fast-growing population and economy, putting extra demand on nature.
The major finding of the study is that a million species of plants and animals now risk extinction.
Scientists warn that many of these species could be extinct within a matter of decades.
Researchers also reported that almost three quarters of land and 66% of marine environments had been "significantly altered" by humanity.
And more than 85% of wetland areas have now been lost.
"It was terrifying to find out how close we are to playing Russian roulette with the only world we are," said Professor Andy Purvis, of the Natural History Museum, who worked on the project.
"But it has also been inspiring, because there is a way out of this.
"What has given hope to the many scientists who worked on this paper has been that the public are fully aware that this is not a drill.
"They can see this is a real emergency that has to be tackled.
"And they are willing – along with governments and businesses – to tackle it."
Greenhouse gases – what are they?
Here's what you need to know...
- The greenhouse effect is a phenomenon that warms the Earth's surface and air
- It's caused by gases in the air that trap energy that travels to Earth from the Sun
- The gases that cause this effect are known as "greenhouse gases"
- Common greennhouse gases include methane and carbone dioxide
- This greenhouse effect is important, because it makes sure Earth stays warm enough to support life
- Without the greenhouse effect, heat would escape into space – significantly cooling Earth
- But there is a risk that humans are releasing too many greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
- This can be caused by burning coal, oil and other fossil fuels
- By trapping more heat, the temperature of Earth rises – which is believed to be one of the main causes of global warming
Part of the problem, scientists say, is that Earth's population has doubled since the 1970s.
And consumption has reportedly increased by 45% per person.
Scientists involved with the project say that damaging trends of human impact are projected to worsen in the coming decades.
They urge "rapid action" to reduce land and sea use, direct harvesting of many plants and animals, as well as pollution and the introduction of invasive species.
"Before the Industrial Revolution, people had to look after the environment around them because that's where the got their products from," Professor Purvis explained.
"If they didn't look after it, they would face the consequences.
"Now with globalisation, we have massive environmental impacts a long way from where we live.
"But we are insulated from these impacts, so they are abstract to us."
The IPBES is an intergovernmental body that assesses the world's biodiversity and ecosystems.
It's hosted by the German government, and collaborates with UNEP, UNESCO, FAO and UNDP, working from the UN campus in Bonn, Germany.
The research is published in the Science journal.
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In other news, our ancestors' tolerance for alcohol may have saved them from extinction.
Experts have warned that the price of a pint could soar to £10 thanks to climate change.
And in 2018, scientists warned that mass extinction could happen again.
Do you ever worry about the end of the world? Let us know in the comments!
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