The shocking extent of man’s effect on nature has been revealed in a new UN report.
The report - a draft of which was obtained by AFP - indicates that up to one million species are now at risk of extinction due to humans.
While the report isn’t set to be released until May 6, AFP says that figures in the draft cannot be altered.
Speaking to AFP, Robert Watson, chair of the UN-mandated body behind the report, said: “We need to recognise that climate change and loss of Nature are equally important, not just for the environment, but as development and economic issues as well.
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"The way we produce our food and energy is undermining the regulating services that we get from Nature.”
The report warns of an ‘imminent rapid acceleration in the global rate of species extinction,’ adding that the pace of loss is already ‘tens to hundreds of times higher than it has been, on average, over the last 10 million years.’
And according to the UN’s projections, between 500,000 and one million species are now at risk of extinction.
Amongst the activities contributing to this include shrinking habitat and land-use change, hunting for food, climate change and pollution.
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Mr Watson added: "There are also two big indirect drivers of biodiversity loss and climate change - the number of people in the world and their growing ability to consume.”
The report also revealed that 75% of land surfaces, 40% of the marine environment and 50% of inland waterways have been ‘severely altered’ due to humans.
Sadly, many of these areas are home to indigenous people and the world’s poorest communities.
The full report is set to be revealed on May 6.
