Life on Earth on the brink of disaster with one million species 'threatened with extinction'

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Since 1970, the size of the world's wildlife population has fallen nearly 70%, according to WWF's latest Living Planet Report, the most comprehensive ever. its 24 years of history< /p> WWF said "nature is on her knees"

Life on Earth is on the brink of disaster as climate change and the destruction of nature undermine our planet, warn conservationists.

Wild animal populations have plummeted by almost 70% globally since 1970, the World Wildlife Fund's latest Living Planet report reveals, equating to the disappearance of everyone in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania and China.

In the UK the decline is a worrying 50%, but in the Amazon, the most biodiverse place on Earth, it is the worst of all at a disastrous 94%.

And this devastation threatens our lives and those of our children.

WWF Chief Tanya Steele said: 'Nature is on its knees and our leaders risk catastrophic consequences for people, the planet and our economy by failing to act.

Elephants in Kenya, Africa (

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10759)

"We are racing towards a warmer planet where nature - and with it, our food, homes and livelihoods - cannot survive without urgent action now.

"There is no time to wait - that would be the greatest possible betrayal of future generations."

One million species are at risk of extinction, the charity warns, but climate change and biodiversity loss are "two sides of the same coin".

A critically endangered black rhino (

Picture:

Paul Goldstein / SWNS)...