From Al Jazeera · Kirsten Schuijt · · 2m
Nature's collapse threatens human survival, but recovery is possible
Wildlife populations have crashed 73 percent since 1970. Kirsten Schuijt, director general of WWF International, argues that triggering tipping points in energy, food and finance systems could reverse the damage faster than expected.
In brief
Wildlife populations have crashed 73 percent since 1970. Kirsten Schuijt, director general of WWF International, argues that triggering tipping points in energy, food and finance systems could reverse the damage faster than expected. Nature loss is accelerating and threatens food security, health and economies, but…
Nature is collapsing at alarming speed
WWF's Living Planet Report 2026 found that the average size of monitored wildlife populations declined by 73 percent between 1970 and 2022.Nature loss now threatens food and water security, health, supply chains and geopolitical stability.
“the average size of monitored wildlife populations declined by 73 percent between 1970 and 2022”
Extreme weather is intensifying the crisis
Deadly heatwaves, raging wildfires, catastrophic floods and prolonged droughts have become impossible to ignore this year. With El Nino forecast to intensify, the risks to people, nature and economies are only increasing.
But positive change can accelerate rapidly
Science shows that under the right conditions, positive change can cross a tipping point threshold and become self-reinforcing. This makes a safer, more resilient future not just possible, but inevitable.
Three systems drive nature's decline
The energy system fuels climate change.The global food system leads to habitat loss and climate change.The finance system bankrolls it all.Triggering tipping points in these systems would see them rapidly transform for the better.
Energy has already passed its tipping point
The global energy system has already passed a tipping point, with the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy now accelerating.Twenty years ago, solar power was used mostly in satellites and pocket calculators.
Food and finance systems lag behind
To progress towards a food systems tipping point, we need wider shifts in consumer demand for healthier, more sustainable foods.
Finance must redirect money to nature
Tipping the finance system so that more finance flows to activities that protect and restore nature than activities that harm it is a fundamental challenge.
Conservation success shows recovery is real
Populations of green sea turtles and tigers are rebounding due to dedicated conservation work bringing together governments, communities and organisations.
COP conferences hold the key to acceleration
Governments meeting at the COP17 biodiversity and COP31 climate conferences have before them a vital opportunity to work together to accelerate the actions needed to trigger positive tipping points and to build resilience into societies…
The bottom line
Nature loss is accelerating and threatens food security, health and economies, but science shows rapid recovery is possible if economic systems that drive environmental damage undergo transformational change.
