Disturbing news that the WWF have claimed that the planet has lost half its wildlife over the last 40 years (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/29/earth-lost-50-wildlife-in-40-years-wwf). It's a bit difficult to establish how accurate such a claim is and most of the featured examples seem to be taken from well-documented mammals and birds in reasonably accessible parts of the world. Putting an optimistic slant on things, it could be the case that the losses have been at least partially compensated by increases in smaller, less-remarked species. This, however, seems unlikely to detract from what is clearly a downward spiral. Given the postulated increases in the world human population and the inability to do much that is meaningful about climate change, one can't be in any sense bullish about what will happen to animal diversity over the next 40 years.
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday 1 October 2014
What About the Next Forty Years?
Disturbing news that the WWF have claimed that the planet has lost half its wildlife over the last 40 years (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/29/earth-lost-50-wildlife-in-40-years-wwf). It's a bit difficult to establish how accurate such a claim is and most of the featured examples seem to be taken from well-documented mammals and birds in reasonably accessible parts of the world. Putting an optimistic slant on things, it could be the case that the losses have been at least partially compensated by increases in smaller, less-remarked species. This, however, seems unlikely to detract from what is clearly a downward spiral. Given the postulated increases in the world human population and the inability to do much that is meaningful about climate change, one can't be in any sense bullish about what will happen to animal diversity over the next 40 years.
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