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World Wildlife Day: UN says over-exploitation of wildlife putting humanity at risk

The United Nations is warning that humanity is putting its own survival at risk by overexploiting...

Michael Staines

13.02 3 Mar 2020

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World Wildlife Day: UN says over-exploitation of wildlife putting humanity at risk

Michael Staines

13.02 3 Mar 2020

Share this article

The United Nations is warning that humanity is putting its own survival at risk by overexploiting wildlife.

It comes on the seventh annual UN World Wildlife Day, which celebrates the “special place of wild plants and animals in their many varied and beautiful forms” on Earth.

Under the theme, “Sustaining Wildlife on Earth,” the international event highlights the massive benefits of wildlife to people around the world and the urgent need for “governments, civil society, private sector actors and individuals to add their voices and take actions to help conserve wildlife.”

With 17 parks under management in 11 countries across Africa, we are conserving 13M hectares in Africa, ensuring these vast ecosystems function for the benefit of people and wildlife. #WorldWildlifeDay pic.twitter.com/tsrgKiTcfH

— African Parks (@AfricanParks) March 3, 2020

Speaking this morning, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “It seems that humanity has forgotten just how much we need nature for our survival and well-being.”

“As the world population and its needs continue to grow, people insist on exploiting natural resources – including wild plants and animals and their habitats – in an unsustainable manner,” he said.

Extinction

He said global rates of extinction are now accelerating at a rate that is “tens to hundreds of times higher” than before human beings walked the earth – with close to a quarter of all species on the planet now in danger extinction.

“By overexploiting wildlife, habitats and ecosystems, humanity is endangering both itself and the survival of countless species of wild plants and animals,” he said.

He said a world of thriving biodiversity is needed to "provide dignity and opportunity for all people on a healthy planet" and urged people around the world to “remind ourselves of our duty to preserve and sustainably use the vast variety of life on the planet.”

Biodiversity

Meanwhile the European Commission has launched a new campaign calling on national parks, aquariums, botanic gardens, zoos, science and natural history museums to join forces and boost public awareness about the nature crisis.

The European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said the biodiversity crisis is a part of climate change.

“Protection and restoration of biodiversity would not only save nature for future generations but also help to tackle climate change and avoid negative consequences on our food, health and economy,” he said.

“We urgently need to take global action - otherwise, our only chance of seeing nature is in the zoos and botanical gardens.

“That would be a failure of humankind.”