One million species are at risk of extinction, UN alert

Animals and plants may disappear in Earth's next years

A million species of animals and plants are in danger of disappearing soon from the face of the Earth, which is equivalent to 1/8 of all the species that populate the planet. This is the alarm launched today (6) by the United Nations, which presented a report by 145 scientists from 50 countries.

The study, considered the most complex about environmental losses, is called the Intergovernmental Platform for Scientific Policies on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). According to the survey, which took three years to complete and has 1.8 thousand pages, one million species are currently at risk of extinction.

Five major changes in nature are the main causes of this problem: loss of natural habitat, exploitation of natural sources, climate change, pollution and invasive species.

"This loss is a direct result of human activity and constitutes a direct threat to human well-being in all regions of the world," said one of the scientists taking part in the study.

According to experts, the loss of biodiversity is not only an environmental issue, but also a development, economic, security, social and moral issue.

The study also warned that the current situation will prevent 80% achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, related to hunger, health, water, climate, poverty, land and oceans.

"We are putting an end to the fundamentals of our economies, our livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life around the world," said Robert Watson, president of IPBES.