WIREDGOV

Dr Mike Barrett WWF-UK’s Director of Science and Policy responded to the paper in Science Magazine by Mark C Urban that found that 16% of species are threatened with extinction of we continue as we are and fail to tackle climate change, 

“This fits with what WWF has been saying for some time – that climate change is the number one challenge to people and nature. 

“The findings echo those of WWF’s Living Planet Report. Our report lookd back and found that populations of vertebrate species have halved since 197o. This report looks forward and finds that many species are threatened with extinction if we fail to tackle climate change.

“We have an opportunity to tackle climate change if we act now, so the next Government must make climate change one of its top 

Dr Stephen Cornelius, WWF-UK's Chief Adviser on Climate Change said: 

“This study further highlights the urgency of taking strong action to address climate change and that ‘business as usual’ is no longer an option.

“We have the technology to tackle climate change, what we need now is the political will and investment in a clean, low-carbon future.”

“It puts more pressure for a fair and effective global agreement to deal with climate change to be agreed at the Paris climate talks later this year.”

Editor's notes

WWF’s Living Planet report is available at:

http://www.wwf.org.uk/about_wwf/other_publications/living_planet_report_2014

WWF is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, creating solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature thrive.  Find out more about our work, past and present at wwf.org.uk.

For further information, please contact:

Mike Eames on +44 (0)7917 052948, or at tempmeames@wwf.org.uk