Politicians told to act now as report reveals a million species could go extinct

World leaders are today urged to take ambitious action to halt declines in nature, as a major report issues a stark warning on wildlife losses.

In the UK, campaigners called on the Government to deliver a "huge boost" for nature and conserve threatened species, including skylark, small blue butterflies and hedgehogs.

The demands come as a UN-backed global assessment is set to warn a million species face extinction and damage to the natural world threatens humanity.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services publishes its 1,800-page scientific study, which has taken three years and drew on thousands of pieces of evidence, will warn of species extinctions, wildlife declines, habitat loss and damage to natural services.

It comes after Extinction Rebellion activists brought London to a standstill last month by gluing themselves to public transport and setting up roadblocks to protest about global warming.

Northern White Rhinos are among the species that could die out (AFP/Getty Images)

One MILLION species of animal at risk of extinction thanks to human activity 

Mike Barrett from WWF said: "We can still reverse this catastrophic trend of nature loss and tackle the climate crisis.

“But world leaders must take decisive steps to restore nature, stop climate change and ensure food security.”

Meanwhile, the Government today calls on supermarkets, restaurants and celebrities to help slash food waste as part of its “Step up to the plate” campaign.

Supporters believe cutting the amount of food scraped into bins will ultimately boost the environment.

Marcus Gover, Chief Executive of campaigner group WRAP, said: “I is worth reminding ourselves that unless we fix the world’s food system we will not be able to bring about the reduction in global warming we need to halt the damage to our planet.”

It comes after the Extinction Rebellion protesters shut down central London to highlight the climate crisis (SIPA USA/PA Images)

MPs back motion urging Government to declare a climate emergency

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “Every year, around 100,000 tonnes of readily available and perfectly edible food goes uneaten.

“It’s time to join together and ‘step up to the plate’ to stop good food going to waste.”