Wildlife populations reduced by more than two-thirds in less than 50 years

The Living Planet Index warns that continued natural habitat loss increased the risk of future pandemics as humans expand their presence into closer contact with wild animals. Photos: AFP

Global animal, bird and fish populations have plummeted more than two-thirds in less than 50 years due to rampant over-consumption, experts said Sept 10 in a stark warning to save nature in order to save ourselves.

Human activity has severely degraded three quarters of all land and 40% of Earth's oceans, and our quickening destruction of nature is likely to have untold consequences on our health and livelihoods.