World must seize shrinking window to save nature as wildlife decline continues, warns major report

The world faces a critical deadline to reverse the alarming decline of wildlife and nature, according to a new report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The Living Planet Report 2026, which compiles the most comprehensive data on vertebrate wildlife populations, reveals that monitored species have experienced an average 73% decline since 1970. This devastating decline has been particularly severe in Latin America, where populations have dropped by 95%, and freshwater species, with an 85% decline.

The report's findings underscore the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and societal challenges, with half of global GDP dependent on nature in some way. The report also highlights the economic and societal implications of nature loss, emphasizing that nature is not merely an environmental issue but a critical factor in national security and prosperity.

Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF-UK, stresses that nature loss is already costing humanity through increased risks to food security, water supplies, economy, and resilience to climate shocks. She calls for urgent action to halt the loss and invest in nature's recovery.

The report identifies the potential for positive tipping points in food, energy, and finance sectors to trigger a reversal of nature's decline. While recovery has already begun in some areas, such as the resurgence of Atlantic bluefin tuna and tiger populations, these successes remain fragile and require accelerated efforts to ensure lasting change.