Future of the Environment

Wild mammals have declined by 85%, but there is a possible future where they flourish

A child walks near a sculpture displaying a mammoth during sunset on the outskirts of Khanty-Mansiysk, March 4, 2011.  REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva  (RUSSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS) - GF2E73716M001

The Quaternary Megafauna Extinction led to the extinction of more than 178 of the world’s large mammals. Image: REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva

Hannah Ritchie
Researcher, Our World in Data
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Future of the Environment

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a chart showing the biomass drop of animals between 100,000 and 10,000 years ago
The Quaternary megafauna extinction saw a mass decline in animal biomass. Image: Our World in Data
a chart showing how the transition to agriculture affected libestock
Agricuture put pressure on wild mammals. Image: Our World in Data
a chart showing the decline of mamals biomass
Animals account for only 3 million tonnes of carbon today. Image: Our World in Data
a chart showing global agrilcture land area per capita
More land is needed to feed more people. Image: Our World in Data
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What’s the World Economic Forum doing about deforestation?

a chart showing mamal numbers if less land was used for agriculture
Reducing land use for agrilcture, would see a boost in wild mammal numbers. Image: Our World in Data
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Future of the EnvironmentClimate ChangeClimate Indicators
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