WWF’s Living Planet Report 2012 launched!

WWF’s Living Planet Report 2012 was yesterday launched from the international Space Station by WWF Ambassador and Dutch Astronaut, André Kuipers.

The report, which is released every two years shows how our ever-growing demand for resources is putting huge pressure on our planet and threatening our future. It’s found that people are now consuming 50 per cent more natural resources than our planet can sustainably produce and estimates that by 2050 we may need the resources of three planets.

Speaking about the report from space, André said: “It’s a vital reminder that our world’s resources are limited and we need to find ways to live sustainably. We only have one Earth. From up here I can see humanity’s footprint, including forest fires, air pollution and erosion – challenges which are reflected in this edition of the Living Planet Report.”

Watch Andre launching the report from space….

WWF’s Living Planet Report 2012 has been released ahead of the Rio+20 Summit (UN Conference on Sustainable Development), taking place in Brazil this June. At the last Rio Earth Summit in 1992, world leaders came together to help tackle climate change and address falling biodiversity levels. Twenty years on, Rio+20 is an opportunity for global leaders to renew their commitment to creating a sustainable future.

In the lead-up to this milestone event WWF is asking people to share why the natural world matters to them. So take a moment to share your best experience of nature and let us know what you love about our brilliant planet at www.earthbook2012.org

To find out more about the Living Planet Report just visit www.wwf.org.uk/lpr2012