Species Loss

© Martin Rowson

The world’s vertebrate (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish) populations have declined by 30% over the past four decades and current extinction rates are about 1000 times higher than the average extinction rates in the fossil record. With climate change combined with land use change, a conservative estimate is that 25% of species will be committed to extinction by 2050. To conserve species, we need to protect their habitats. The challenge over the next 40 years will be providing food while maintaining the habitat needed to sustain the 6-30 million species with which we share the planet. There are a number of excellent conservation initiatives highlighting important areas for conservation and finding new ways to finance them.

A few things you can do:	Innovations
□ Get involved in your local habitat restoration projects □ Support your local park system □ Support conservation organisations	Focus on species and ecosytems Alliance for Zero Extinction Conservation International: Biodiversity Hotspots EDGE of Existence Important Bird Areas Key Biodiversity Areas WCS Living Landscapes WWF Ecoregions Innovative financing mechanisms Conservation Finance Alliance The Nature Conservancy: Conservation Buyer Program

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