New study warns biodiversity targets may be slipping out of reach, urges leaders to increase targets

Is nature as we know it about to collapse?

Ambitious targets designed to halt the decline in nature biodiversity may already be slipping out of reach.

A new study says the effects of climate change and habitat loss on animal populations have been significantly underestimated.

This means preventing extinctions may take longer than expected and, unless we act now, global biodiversity targets will be out of reach forever.

It follows a pact by almost 200 countries in December to halt the decline in nature by the end of the decade.

The goal is to prevent biodiversity loss and protect 30 per cent of lands and seas by 2030.

The Institute of Zoology in London says humans “need to act more urgently and more quickly, and tackle more things to achieve [these targets]”.

As it stands, more plants and animals are going extinct than at any other point in human history.

On the plus side, research shows immediate action on unsustainable hunting and over-exploitation of natural resources is having immediate effects. #trending #featured