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- UN’s report called the Global Assessment has warned that up to one million of Earth’s estimated eight million plant, insect and animal species is at risk of extinction. The Report has been compiled by UN’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). IPBES is the intergovernmental body which assesses the state of biodiversity and of the ecosystem services it provides to society, in response to requests from decision makers.
- According to the report, more than 40% of amphibians, 33% of coral reefs and over a third of all marine mammals are at risk of extinction. The report further highlights that 75% of land environment and some 66% of the marine environment “have been significantly altered by human actions.
- The report has emphasized the disastrous impact of population growth and rising demand. It notes that the world’s population has more than doubled (from 3.7 to 7.6 billion) in the last 50 years, and gross domestic product per person is four times higher.
- It has listed a number of key global threats such as a) overexploitation of land and sea resources, b) illegal poaching, c) deforestation, d) plastic waste, e) fossil fuel emissions and climate change.
- It has further stated that many of areas where Nature’s contribution to human wellbeing will most severely compromised are home to indigenous people and world’s poorest communities. It also highlights that deteriorating health of ecosystems also threaten business and financial concerns, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.