In my lifetime, we’ve wiped out half earth’s wildlife

livingplanetAnd more than doubled the weight of humans (not including all our stuff).

Will they all be gone when my children are my age?

The latest edition of the Living Planet Report is not for the faint-hearted. The Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 per cent since 1970.

We ignore their decline at our peril.

We are using nature’s gifts as if we had more than just one Earth at our disposal.

In a world where so many people live in poverty, it may appear as though protecting nature is a luxury. But it is quite the opposite. For many of the world’s poorest people, it is a lifeline. Importantly though, we are all in this together. We all need nutritious food, fresh water and clean air – wherever in the world we live.

Fortunately, each one of us can and does make a difference.  We can all stop, step bank, think and make a few changes to our consumption pattern and lifestyle.  The kind of changes that will probably make us happier too, like spending more time with family and friends, using fewer chemicals on ourselves, homes and food, enjoying the journey instead of rushing from A to B.

Living Planet Index

2014 Living Planet Report

Report summary

BBC: World wildlife populations halved in 40 years – report

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