Unsustainable logging, fishing and hunting 'driving extinction'

Image source, Rich Carey

According to a landmark assessment, one in five people around the world rely on wild animals, plants and fungi for their sustenance.

The report found that many wild species are not being Harvested in a sustainable way.

One million plants and animals could go extinct in the next 30 years, according to experts.

Fishing, hunting and logging are unsustainable.

The sustainable use of wild species is important for people and nature according to a new report.

Climate change and increased demand are likely to push more species to the verge of extinction.

Image source, Wild Poets Society

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Their most recent assessment was approved by 139 countries and focuses on how fishing, hunting and logging can be carried out more sustainable.

Billions of people rely on 50,000 species of wild animals, plants and fungi for everything from food to medicine.

A third of the wild fish in the ocean are overfished, more than 10% of the wild trees are threatened by unsustainable logging, and more than 1,300 mammals are pushed to extinction by unsustainable hunting.

Image source, Getty Images

Illegal fishing and wildlife trade, better management of forests, and recognition of the rights of indigenous people are some of the actions that would help address these challenges.

Rural people in developing countries are most at risk from unsustainable use and are often forced to exploit wild species already at risk.

• About 50,000 wild species are used for food, fuel, cosmetics, medicines, tourism and other purposes.
• More sustainable use of wild species is critical for people and nature, with billions of people in every corner of the globe relying upon them.
• The sustainability of wild species in the future is likely to be challenged by climate change, increased demand for such products, and technological advances in methods of hunting, logging and fishing.
• Addressing these challenges will require "transformative changes".

Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, said that more sustainable use of animals and plants can provide a strong incentive for preservation.

One million species are at risk of extinction today. Illegal and unregulated use of species is a big part of the problem. The illegal wildlife trade is worth 23 billion dollars a year and is run by a small group of people. People get rich at the expense of the environment.

One million species of plants and animals are at risk of extinction due to direct exploitation, according to the global assessment.

Decision-makers will be provided with evidence for enhancing the sustainable use of wild species in the new report, which will be used to set global targets to stem the loss of biodiversity.