Photo credit: Ágnes Zsadányi
Climate change, pollution and the destruction of habitats are driving an extinction crisis that is reshaping life on Earth — and endangering the very conditions that sustain human existence. Scientists warn about the catastrophic 73% decline in the average size of wildlife populations in just 50 years, as per the latest WWF flagship Living Planet report.
Once seen as a tragedy unfolding in distant jungles or coral reefs, the crisis is now on our doorstep. For instance, in Hungary, 65% of species of “community importance” – those given priority under EU Habitat Directive because they are endangered, vulnerable, rare or unique to a region – are in unfavourable or poor condition. The viviparous lizard, Caspian whipsnake, European mudminnow, Hungarian birch mouse and southern lesser mole-rat are among those species whose entire Hungarian populations could vanish within years.
But what does the worldwide picture look like? The full extent of the crisis is difficult to measure. A new data story from Vizzu shows the level of global risk for each species – and how those risks have changed over time. Many species remain unknown to science, yet may already be in decline. The visualisation, based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, identifies plants as the most threatened group. Flowering plants top the list, followed by fish, insects, birds and reptiles. Among vertebrates, amphibians are most at risk, ahead of mammals and reptiles. The speed of change suggests biodiversity loss is faster and more extensive than many realise.
A loss that can’t be undone
Some losses are already irreversible. The fate of a snail that once lived in a tiny lake in Central and Eastern Europe offers a stark illustration. The Parreys' thermal snail (Microcolpia parreyssii) lived only in Peța Lake, Băile 1 Mai, near Oradea, Romania, some kilometers far from the Hungarian border. Fed by a warm spring, the small lake kept a mild, stable temperature year-round and was the species’ sole natural habitat worldwide.
Photo credit: Tamás Müller
Until the late 20th century, the snail was abundant. After that, its numbers collapsed due to pollution and disturbance. Around the lake, hotels, spas and holiday homes drew on underground warm water for heating and pools – legally and illegally – lowering the water level. As the lake declined, so did its wildlife. These included three remarkable species that made the lake globally unique: Parreyss’ thermal snail, another endemic species — a fish called Racovitza’s rudd — and a striking water lily that otherwise grows only as far away as Egypt. Scientists tried to rescue the fish and the snail before the lake dried out entirely, aiming to breed them in captivity and reintroduce them later. For the Parreys’ thermal snail, breeding failed. The species is now extinct.
Photo credit: Tamás Müller
The hidden costs of extinction
“The ongoing wave of extinctions is just one facet of a wider, human-driven environmental crisis,” said Zoltán Fehér, Conservation Director at WWF-Hungary. “The collapse of soil fertility, growing water shortages, rising climate-related health risks and the destruction of habitats are each a symptom of the same overarching crisis.”
The ecological impact of losing a species is often delayed, making it easy to underestimate. But extinction is never an isolated event. It is the outcome of how humans treat nature and use resources.
Current economic systems exploit natural resources at unsustainable rates. The effects are visible: collapsing soil fertility, worsening droughts and flash floods, rising health risks from pollution and climate change, and the ongoing degradation of habitats.
“The story of Peța Lake is a stark example of how greed and reckless exploitation of nature lead to permanent, irreversible loss,” Fehér said.
The extinction of the Parreys’ thermal snail is a warning. Wildlife in Hungary and neighbouring regions is under threat. Overuse, pollution, disturbance and habitat destruction are stripping away entire ecosystems. In this case, the loss was not just a population – it was an entire species.
According to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024, monitored wild vertebrate populations have dropped by an average of 73% between 1970 and 2020 – in just 50 years. The planet is nearing critical tipping points. Habitat loss and nature’s decline are compounding our vulnerability to climate change. The IUCN lists 927 species as extinct and another 81 as extinct in the wild. The true figure is likely far higher. The IUCN only declares a species extinct when there is strong evidence the last individual has died. For small, elusive species – especially in remote areas – that is almost impossible to confirm. Many disappear long before they are officially recorded as lost.
The lesson of Peța Lake is clear: if we continue down the path of reckless exploitation, more species will be lost forever. But the future is still in our hands. Protecting nature today means protecting our own tomorrow.
About Vizzu
Vizzu is a team of data visualization experts who built their own technology to turn complex information into clear, engaging stories. They help partners communicate insights in ways that capture attention and inspire action. See the Vizzu Red List data story here.
Contacts
Alexa Berende – PR Communications Officer, WWF Hungary
Email: alexa.berende@wwf.hu | Mobile: +36 30 655 2407
Péter Vidos – Founder, Vizzu (technical support for embedding)
Email: peter@vizzu.io | Mobile: +36 30 791 5307
