Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read | 14:45 pm CAT

Tropical regions face wildlife populations plummeting at a staggering rate. Freshwater species populations have suffered an 83% fall, and the WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022, shows that there is no time to lose in securing a nature-positive society. This highlights the stark outlook of the state of nature and urgently warns governments, businesses and the public to take transformative action to reverse the destruction of biodiversity.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Angus Burns of WWF South Africa’s Land and Biodiversity Stewardship Portfolio said the living planet report is roughly released every two years and provides a clear picture of how species populations are doing.

According to Burns, the report reveals that populations have dropped on average by 69 per cent globally and around 66 per cent decline in species populations in Africa.

The drop is of massive concern as our health and survival rely upon intact ecosystems. These systems rely on the various species that contribute to their functionalities.

Burns said the decline in species population is driven by climate change, biodiversity loss due to habitat destruction, etc.

“These are our life support systems and we are destroying them,” he says.

Listen below to the interview with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Angus Burns on Radio Islam’s podcast.