Living Planet Report 2014

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A continuously rising demand for natural resources and increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere by a growing population are putting tremendous pressures on our planet’s biodiversity, and are threatening our future security, health and well-being, reveals the 2014 edition of WWF’s Living Planet Report, the leading biennial survey of the Earth’s health.

Countries with a high level of human development tend to have higher ecological footprints. The challenge is for countries to increase their human development while keeping their footprint down to globally sustainable levels. We may have already crossed “planetary boundaries” that could lead to abrupt or irreversible environmental changes. Human well-being depends on natural resources such as water, arable land, fish and wood, and ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling and erosion control. While the world’s poorest continue to be most vulnerable, the interconnected issues of food, water and energy security affect us all.

WWF’s one planet perspective provides solutions for a living planet – focusing on protecting natural capital, producing better, consuming more wisely, redirecting financial flows and more equitable resource governance. Changing our course and finding alternative pathways will not be easy. But it can be done.

The complete report, summary and support material can be found at www.wwf.eu/LPR