UN Warns Of Million Species Facing Extinction

The United Nations has warned that a million species face extinction in a landmark report on the state of nature. 

The pace of extinction has accelerated as human activity has compromised natural renewal of such resources as water, air and soil, prompting experts to warn of the first mass extinction since dinosaurs were wiped out 66 million years ago. Deforestation and industrial agriculture were identified by the report as major drivers of decline, also negatively contributing to climate change.

The top five causes of species lost are ranked as follows: diminished or degraded habitat, hunting for food or the trade in body parts, global warming, pollution, and alien species.

The report argues that transformative change is required and follows a similarly shocking report from the UN on climate change released in October last year. Among the remedial actions that could be taken are reducing meat consumption, halting deforestation, discouraging luxury consumption and moving to a low-growth economy.