Why WWF matters:
WWF focuses on improving six vital areas: food, climate, fresh water, wildlife, forests and oceans.
Today, 7.3 billion people consume 1.6 times what the earth’s natural resources can supply. Therefore, WWF is seeking new ways to provide more people with food, without expanding the lands and water sources already in use. Furthermore, about 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted each year—four times the amount needed to feed the more than 800+ million people who are malnourished. By increasing productivity while reducing waste, WWF believes it can achieve its goals by 2050.
A constantly warming climate is wreaking havoc on our planet: freshwater supplies are shrinking, agricultural yields are dropping, our forests are burning, and rising oceans are more acidic. WWF strives to reinvent energy and food production, protect the world’s forests and prepare people for the almost inevitable changes in climate. WWF believes that everyone must work together to achieve this. Therefore, they are engaging with millions of Americans, businesses and government officials to aid in this initiative.
All organisms need water, and freshwater habitats house over 10% of the world's animals and over 50% of the world's fish species. Yet, despite its necessity, less than 1% of the worl'd water is fresh, and it is exposed to a constant threat by forces such as climate change, population growth and changing consumption patterns. This has caused freshwater species to decline at the alarming rate of 76%! WWF is trying to ensure healthy freshwater systems exist to conserve wildlife.
For over 50 years, WWF has attempted to find solutions that save countless animal lives by applying the best science available and working with local communities. Yet, there is still much work to be done. Humans are responsible for the current rate of species extinction, which is up to 1,000 times higher than nature intended. WWF aims to protect ecosystems, as they have done in the past: saving aminals ranging from southern Africa’s black rhino to black bucks in the Himalayas.
Forests provide humans with resources, beauty and living spaces. Yet, agricultural development has caused deforestation, and illegal logging has degraded forests. For example, The Amazon rainforest lost at least 17% of its land in the 50 years due to human activity. WWF hopes to address all threats to forests by 2020. Most of WWF's work is happening in tropical rainforests, some of the most biologically diverse places on Earth.
Oceans are home to an estimated 2 million species. They also regulate the global climate; mediate temperature, and drive the weather, determining rainfall, droughts and floods. WWF focuses on developing healthy and diverse marine ecosystems that support abundant biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and thriving economies.
