The new Living Planet Report, published every two years to assess the health of the natural world, offers a more encouraging outlook compared to previous editions. The report highlights that conservationists have successfully prevented the extinction of 32 bird and 16 mammal species since 1993. Additionally, populations of wild tigers, elephants, and sea otters are reported to be stable or growing.
The report also identifies a positive shift in the energy sector, which historically accounts for approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It notes that a positive tipping point has been reached, with the transition to renewable energy gaining momentum and coal use decreasing in many wealthy countries.
The report, titled "The Science of Hope," discusses a form of hope rooted in psychological research, which involves having a goal, pathways to achieve it, and the belief in one's ability to make a difference, alongside resilience. This approach is exemplified by the conservation of New Zealand's kākāpō parrot, whose population has grown from 51 in 1995 to 324 today through various conservation strategies, including genome sequencing.