Home / Environment / UK species face extinction in 20 years
UK species face extinction in 20 years
31 Mar
Summary
- Nearly 200 plant species could be lost by 2070.
- Up to 31 bird species face extinction without action.
- Sustainable policies could save up to 69 species.
Urgent action is required within the next two decades to avert the extinction of hundreds of British species, scientists have warned. Projections indicate that up to 196 plant, 31 bird, and seven butterfly species could disappear by 2070 under severe climate and land-use scenarios.
These potential losses, including species like the merlin bird of prey and various butterflies and plants, are significantly higher than historical extinction rates. The researchers emphasize that the coming 20 years are critical, with choices made now determining Britain's ecological future.
While the study modeled various scenarios, a combination of high fossil fuel use and intensive agriculture poses the greatest risk. However, adopting sustainable climate and land management policies offers hope, potentially preventing the extinction of up to 69 species compared to the worst-case outlook.
