LIVING PLANET REPORT 2024

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Context: 

The World Wildlife Fund in the Living Planet Report 2024 found that since 1970, the average size of monitored wildlife populations has dropped by 73%.

World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report 2024

• It is a biennial report, produced by the Zoological Society of London.
• It measures how species respond to pressure in the environment due to biodiversity loss and climate change.
• Among 5,495 species in the world, the Living Planet Index (LPI) 2024, monitored close to 35,000 populations.
• Zoological Society of London, founded in 1826, is an international conservation charity working for wildlife conservation.

Key findings of Living Planet Report 2024

Monitored global wildlife populations have declined by 73 per cent in the last 50 years, owing to habitat loss, degradation, impacts of climate change and invasive species.

Populations in freshwater decreased by 85%. 

Populations on land decreased by 69%. 

The number of marine species fell by 56%.

Regional Declines: 

There was a 95% reduction across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Africa witnessed a decrease of 76%.

Asia-Pacific was in for a 60% drop.

The reduction in North America was 39%.

A 35% decrease was noted across Europe and Central Asia.

Conservation initiatives led to the stabilization or expansion of certain populations:

From 2010 to 2016, the number of mountain gorillas in East Africa increased by almost 3% per year. 

Between 1970 and 2020, the number of bison in central Europe increased from 0 to 6,800.

Main risks: 

Two of the biggest risks are habitat loss and degradation. Habitat loss was driven by unsustainable agriculture, fragmentation, logging, mining, etc.

Overharvesting is a serious problem which mostly affects the world food system.

Wildlife populations are threatened by invasive species.

Diseases affect wild animals and many die without care.

Climate change has led to the fragmentation of habitat.

India specific Findings 

It positioned India as a global model for sustainable eating.

India's consumption patterns are the best worldwide and will need less than one Earth by 2050.

The reports noted that if other countries adopted India's dietary habits, the environmental burden of food production would be dramatically reduced.

In contrast, countries like the United States and Argentina were found to have comparatively less sustainable consumption patterns. Argentina’s dietary footprint was found requiring an unsustainable 7.42 Earths. 

The report emphasised that adopting more sustainable diets globally could prevent land degradation and aid nature restoration.

The report highlighted India’s National Millet Campaign and praised its promotion of traditional, climate-resilient grains such as millets. 

Important articles for reference 

World Wildlife Fund for Nature

National Millet Campaign

Sources:

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/wildlife-population-declined-by-73-in-50-years-wwf-report-9612568/

https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/2024-living-planet-report

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements about the “Living Planet Report 2024”:  It is an annual report, produced by the Zoological Society of London. India's consumption patterns are best worldwide as per the report. The United States and Argentina were found to have comparatively less sustainable consumption patterns than India. How many of the above statements is/are correct? A.Only one B.Only two C. All Three D.None Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect:  Living planet report is a biennial report, produced by the Zoological Society of London. It measures how species respond to pressure in the environment due to biodiversity loss and climate change. Among 5,495 species in the world, the Living Planet Index (LPI) 2024, monitored close to 35,000 populations. Zoological Society of London, founded in 1826, is an international conservation charity working for wildlife conservation. Statement 2 is correct:  Report positioned India as a global model for sustainable eating. India's consumption patterns are best worldwide and would need less than one Earth by 2050. The report noted that if other countries adopted India's dietary habits, the environmental burden of food production would be dramatically reduced. Statement 3 is correct:  The countries like the United States and Argentina were found to have comparatively less sustainable consumption patterns than India. Argentina’s dietary footprint was found requiring an unsustainable 7.42 Earths.