WIN A SIGNED COPY OF ATTENBOROUGH’S NEW BOOK PAGE 30 THE MAGAZINE FOR WWF MEMBERS AUTUMN 2020

REEFS OF HOPE How you’re helping protect unique coral reefs that could survive climate change

HEALING NATURE RISING TO THE CHALLENGE Forests are good for our health Thanks to you, we’re supporting and for our planet – so we’re fghting communities and wildlife through to keep a trillion trees standing the worst impacts of the pandemic CONTENTS

TOGETHER, WE DID IT! 4 STANDING TOGETHER 22 “LIFE-CHANGING A round-up of all you’ve helped How we’re helping wildlife us achieve in recent months guardians respond to the coronavirus crisis, thanks to you. WWF IN ACTION 6 By Paul Bloomfeld EVENTS SUCH AS Environment news, including choices for a better future INTERVIEW: COLIN BUTFIELD 26 On the making and meaning of THE PANDEMIC CAN HOPE FOR CORAL REEFS 10 David Attenborough: A Life With your support, we’re working On Our Planet to protect the most resilient coral reefs in seven countries. FIGHT FOR YOUR WORLD 28 GIVE US TIME TO By Paul Bloomfeld Be part of the change and do your bit to protect our precious planet THE WONDERS OF TREES 16 Forests are crucial to our physical GIVEAWAYS 30 RETHINK AND RESET” and mental wellbeing, so we’re Win a copy of A Life On Our taking action to protect and Planet by David Attenborough restore a trillion trees and help you reconnect with woodlands. CROSSWORD 31 By Derek Niemann Solve our crossword and you could win a copy of Lily Cole’s BIG PICTURE 20 book Who Cares Wins Discover the mysterious kingdom of an iceberg and how studying NOTES FROM THE FIELD 31 seals from space may hold the Against all odds, a tiger is spotted secret to protecting Antarctica in a surprising place in Nepal

MEET THIS ISSUE’S GUEST CONTRIBUTORS CAROL PHUA STUART DAVID CURNICK is WWF’s DAINTON, leads the global Coral head of fieldwork for Reef Rescue Trillion Trees, our coral reef Initiative manager. She says: “With the challenge monitoring project in Fiji says: “If we can protect of biodiversity loss and on behalf of the Zoological reefs that are less climate change, it’s Society of London. “Our vulnerable to climate critical we protect forests coral reefs have reached a change, they’ll bring life and put back trees in our tipping point. We urgently NURTURING A GREEN RECOVERY back to our oceans and landscapes to restore the need innovative solutions help other reefs.” to save them,” he says. The Covid-19 crisis has reminded us how closely people balance with nature.” and nature are interlinked. Unless we act now, the destruction of habitats and exploitation of wildlife will increase the risk of future pandemics, with serious GET IN TOUCH MEET THE ACTION TEAM Editor Liz Palmer [email protected] consequences for our health, economies and ecosystems. wwf.org.uk/contact Editorial executive Holly Towner As we emerge from this crisis, we have an opportunity Senior supporter engagement manager to heal humanity’s broken relationship with nature. 01483 426333 Hannah Crawley Our recent report, Covid-19: Urgent call to protect people WWF-UK Living Planet Centre, Supporter engagement managers and nature, demanded rapid global action to tackle Ruford House, Brewery Road, Stephen Osborne, Merlin Meyer Senior editor Guy Jowett the causes of pandemics. We must curb the trade and Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL consumption of threatened wildlife, halt deforestation For Immediate Media Co. and land conversion, and fnd more sustainable ways FOLLOW US Consultant editor Sophie Staford Art editor Nicole Mooney to produce food to reduce the risk of diseases passing wwf.org.uk/facebook COVER: Production editor Charlotte Martyn from animals to people. wwf.org.uk/twitter Account manager Katy Hewett © GETTY | CONTENTS: | CONTENTS: © GETTY A better future starts with the decisions people, Design director Will Slater wwf.org.uk/pinterest governments and companies around the world make Forests cover almost a third Editorial director Dan Linstead today. So we’re urging world leaders to embrace a just, of the Earth’s land, but we’re wwf.org.uk/news losing them at an alarming rate. THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS wwf.org.uk/youtube healthy and green recovery where people and the This threatens the prosperity Paul Bloomfeld, Colin Butfeld, David planet thrive and pandemics are less likely. of people and wildlife. So we’re wwf.org.uk/instagram Curnick, Stuart Dainton, Damian Fleming, working for a world where one

© GETTY The fght for our world has never been more Barney Jefries, Derek Niemann, Carol trillion trees are regrown, saved Phua, Samundra Subba important. We need to work in partnership with from loss and better protected nature, rather than against it. around the world by 2050 Produced in association with Immediate Media Co. www.imcontent.co.uk 2 | Action Autumn 2020 THANK YOU TOGETHER, WE DID IT! “THE SOLUTIONS FOR NATURE RECOVERY ALREADY EXIST – NOW WE NEED TO EMBRACE THEM. THIS CAN START WITH TOGETHER, WE DID IT! JUST ONE OR TWO SIMPLE ACTIONS” KATIE WHITE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND CAMPAIGNS Thanks to your membership, we can help 6 protect wildlife and wild places. Here Polar bears are vulnerable while are some of the great things supporters they’re in their dens. So mapping den like you have helped achieve locations helps us push for greater protection of these areas 1 AMAZON YOU HELPED GAIN INSIGHTS INTO JAGUARS 6 CANADIAN ARCTIC © ALAMY With your help, we’ve been able to show just how 4 YOU HELPED MAP POLAR BEAR DENS important efective conservation areas are for jaguars 3 in a key part of the Amazon. A two-year project found Thanks to you, we’ve compiled a map of more than 1,500 around 2,000 jaguars living in a wildlife corridor that 2 polar bear dens across Canada. Researchers drew on years of links a protected area in Peru with one in Ecuador and an 1 monitoring data, including from feld programmes funded by indigenous territory in Colombia. This impressive number our polar bear adopters and other supporters, and the knowledge demonstrates that these largely undisturbed habitats of indigenous communities, to record sites where female bears are healthy. That’s important for top predators such as are known to make their dens and give birth. This information jaguars, which need large territories and plenty of prey, will help us learn more about how polar bears are adapting to such as tapirs. A total of 129 camera traps captured 64,700 their changing climate and improve protection for these crucial photos, from which researchers identifed individual ‘Super snifer’ dogs and areas as the warming Arctic opens up to more development. jaguars from the unique patterns of spots, or ‘rosettes’, on their handlers undergo Importantly, that includes preserving marine areas too – most their fur. Our goal is to create an interconnected network a rigorous nine-month dens are 20 miles or fewer from the coast, and bears spend a

© GETTY of jaguar-friendly landscapes across Latin America by great deal of their time on sea ice. We recently launched a project 2030, to ensure the survival of the region’s largest cat, as training regime to develop specialist called ArcNet to create a network of marine protected areas PENGUIN © GETTY well as the countless other species that share its habitat. skills and a deep bond. The pairs across the Arctic, working closely with governments and marine 5 must pass an exam to qualify stakeholders. This will help both people and wildlife to adapt to 9 rapidly increasing pressures in the region. 2 KENYA 3 CAMBODIA

© GETTY YOU’RE HELPING DRIVE DOWN ELEPHANT POACHING YOU HELPED 4 INDIA 5 ANTARCTICA Because of supporters like you, elephant poaching has been falling STOP NEW DAMS in one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. Historically, more than YOU HELPED SNIFF OUT WILDLIFE CRIME YOU’RE HELPING PROTECT PENGUINS ON THE MEKONG © GETTY 60 elephants were killed by poachers each year in the Mau-Mara- Thanks to your support, two snifer dog squads will help detect Thanks to you, we’re one step closer to securing Serengeti landscape that links Kenya and Tanzania. But for each of the With your support, plans illegal wildlife items being smuggled by rail in India. Over the long-term protection for crucial penguin habitats in past fve years, numbers have been down to single digits. A vital part to dam the world’s largest past few years, we’ve worked with TRAFFIC, the wildlife crime the Southern Ocean. As Antarctica experiences rapid of that success is our work with communities, who are the guardians free-fowing river have monitoring network, to help train more than 60 teams of ‘super climate change, it’s vital that key wildlife feeding of their lands and who play a crucial role in protecting wildlife. Last been put on hold. Following snifers’ across India. The dogs have helped catch poachers and areas are protected from current and future threats. year, with your support, we helped recruit 15 years of campaigning by WWF and others, Cambodia has called a seize illegal wildlife products such as tiger bones and elephant But identifying these places in such a vast, remote community rangers in a poaching hotspot. 10-year halt to the development of new hydropower dams on the tusks. This is the frst time region is challenging. That’s why we took part in a You’ve also helped pay for training and mainstream of the Mekong river. The dams would have caused dogs will be deployed by massive research study, partly funded by our penguin equipment for rangers, enabling irreversible damage to unique ecosystems and freshwater species, the Railway Protection adopters and other supporters, which used satellite and them to respond rapidly to including the world’s largest population of Irrawaddy river Force on India’s busy electronic tracking data to discover where predator species wildlife crimes. With dolphins. It would also have harmed the livelihoods of millions rail network in critical go to fnd food in Antarctica. Over several years, more than your continued of people who depend on the Mekong’s fsh for food and the locations used to smuggle 70 scientists from 12 nations tracked over 4,000 individual support, we fertile soils of its delta in Vietnam. Now we’ll focus on supporting wildlife contraband, animals from 17 species, including fve species of penguins as can reach our Cambodia to develop alternative sources of clean electricity such INDIA © TRAFFIC both within the country well as whales, seals and other seabirds. The results will enable goal of zero as solar power, and continue to monitor and protect endangered and up to the borders us to identify the important places that need greater protection, © GETTY poaching in Irrawaddy river dolphins. In more good news, a newborn dolphin where it’s trafcked into and support eforts to create the world’s largest network of the region. was recently seen in the Mekong river – the fourth this year. neighbouring countries. marine protected areas in the waters surrounding Antarctica.

4 | Action Summer 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 5 WWF IN ACTION FOR YOUR WORLD HELP US RESTORE THE NEWS IN BRIEF BALANCE OF NATURE How we’re building a better world for wildlife and people It’s not too late to reverse the decline of nature and

create a more sustainable society that benefts people BEBBER/WWF-UK © DAVID and wildlife. Here’s how you can get involved

UK’S OVERSEAS FOOTPRINT GROWS The UK uses an area overseas that’s nearly as big as England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland combined to satisfy our annual demand for products such as 1. SIGN THE PETITION palm oil, timber, soy and cocoa, according Help us put pressure on the UK to new research. Riskier Business, which we government to introduce tougher recently published in partnership with the laws that safeguard nature on our RSPB, reveals this area has grown by 15% doorsteps and overseas: since our previous study published in 2017. wwf.org.uk/naturelaw Some 28% of the land used is in countries where there’s a high risk of deforestation among other issues, including Brazil, Indonesia and the Ivory Coast, increasing 2. BE NATURE-FRIENDLY the risk of extinction for over 2,800 species. Download our new MyFootprint NEWS IN NUMBERS app to try some simple lifestyle changes that beneft nature – and track your progress: wwf.org.uk/myfootprint

The number of endangered BRING NATURE BACK Irrawaddy river dolphins in their namesake river in WWF’s Living Planet Report 2020 the health of our planet’s ecosystems. The about what we eat or how we use our money, 3. SHARE THE FILM Myanmar has reached its shows that nature is declining faster 2020 report shows an average 68% fall to the very big decisions about how we do If you haven’t already seen it, watch highest level for a decade, than ever. But we can help it recover in monitored populations of amphibians, business or govern ourselves, the recovery David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet increasing from 72 last year to if we all work together birds, fsh, mammals and reptiles since of nature could be at the heart of humanity’s on Netfix and encourage your friends 7979. But there’s much to do before the risks to For many people, nature is a source of calm, 1970. The results clearly show that nature is mission in the 21st century. Because after all, and family to watch it too: this species are eliminated. We’re working to and this has certainly been the case during in serious decline and is being destroyed by we are nature.” attenboroughflm.com tackle threats such as unsustainable fshing, the pandemic. In fact, nature is essential to humans at a rate unseen before in history. As we build back from the which afects the availability of prey. everyone’s existence, providing us with clean No one understands this more than WWF current health crisis, we must air, fresh water and food, and regulating our ambassador Sir David Attenborough. In his shift towards a more resilient climate. But it’s under more pressure than 94 years, he has visited every continent on the and sustainable society. We’re More than 14,000 people, ever before. globe, documenting life in all its variety and putting pressure on the UK Our planet’s natural including WWF supporters, systems are fundamental 4. READ OUR LIVING © GETTY | © WWF/CONOR MCDONNELL | © WWF/CONOR © GETTY Since the Industrial Revolution, human wonder. In his new flm, David Attenborough: government to create tough to our society. Yet almost made history in June by activities have destroyed and degraded A Life On Our Planet, produced by Silverback new laws that safeguard nature, six billion tonnes of fsh PLANET REPORT 2020 signing up for the frst ever forests, grasslands, wetlands and other vital Films and WWF (and now streaming on both here on our doorsteps and and other seafood have virtual lobby, organised been taken from the Our pioneering report monitors habitats. Our world has been transformed and Netfix), he gives a powerful frst-hand in fragile landscapes overseas. world’s oceans since 1950 the health of our planet and proves by us and The Climate we’re now overusing natural resources at an account of humanity’s impact on nature. You can help by that we can restore nature Coalition. Together, we unprecedented and unsustainable rate. Sir David has a message of hope for how adding your name while feeding a growing asked over 200 MPs in the The impact on wildlife has been we can redress the balance through a shared to the campaign human population: UK to support a fair and devastating. We use the Living Planet Index appreciation for nature. “The problems may and helping wwf.org.uk/lpr2020 green recovery from the to record the abundance of almost 21,000 seem daunting, but together we can change to spread health crisis – creating jobs wildlife populations, which helps us measure course,” he says. “From everyday choices the word. and tackling climate change. 14,000 6 | Action SummerAutumn 20202019 Action Autumn 2020 | 7 WWF IN ACTION FOR YOUR WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF BLACK RHINO NUMBERS INCREASE We’re celebrating fantastic news 631 black rhinos, and by the end of 2019 from Africa, where the number of there were 784. Our goal is to increase the wild black rhinos has increased to population to 2,000.

© ALEX MUSTARD / NATUREPL.COM / WWF / NATUREPL.COM MUSTARD © ALEX 5,630. The latest fgures show the Demand for rhino horn in Asian population has been growing at a countries such as Vietnam means poaching rate of 2.5% per year, despite the is a constant threat, but our anti-poaching ever-present threat of poaching measures are paying of. You’ve helped Black rhinos were once the most by funding vital equipment and support numerous rhino species in the world. It’s for rhino monitoring, including GPS estimated that close to 100,000 roamed systems, vehicles and cameras as well southern and eastern Africa at the start of as mosquito nets, boots and rations for the 20th century. But hunting and habitat rangers and community teams on patrol. loss drove them to the brink of extinction, Encouragingly, only one black rhino was with fewer than 2,500 surviving by the killed by poachers last year, down from THE LYNX EFFECT TURNING THE TIDE century’s end. While black rhinos remain four the year before. critically endangered, the upward trend is a Dr Martin Mulama, our rhino Stunning new footage from On World Oceans Day in June, we joined other cause for celebration. programme coordinator in east Africa, Pakistan shows a Himalayan ocean conservation organisations in England We’ve been working with partners in a is optimistic about the future of black lynx hunting a Kashmir markhor to launch a rallying cry to save our seas. The range of ways to help black rhinos recover rhinos in Kenya and across Africa. He paid – an event that’s never been Ocean Recovery Manifesto calls for at least – from establishing sanctuaries and tribute to our supporters, particularly our caught on camera before 30% of English waters to be fully protected by moving rhinos to start new populations, to rhino adopters: “Thanks to them, we have The lynx is an elusive predator 2030. Though we already have a network of supporting eforts to stop poaching, illegal improved the welfare of rangers, who are that normally hunts at night, and marine protected areas around our coast, few trade and demand for rhino horn. the frst line of defence in protecting is hardly ever seen by people. of these ofer any real protection to wildlife. Much of our work is focused on this amazing species. We still have So WWF-Pakistan photographer Through our partnership with Sky Ocean In the spectacular video Kenya, where the black rhino population a long way to go to ensure this footage, the lynx creeps Nyal Mueenuddin and members Rescue, we’ll be calling on UK governments to plummeted from 20,000 to a low of just global heritage is conserved for down the steep rocky clifs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife improve sustainability of fsheries, recognise of Chitral Valley, Pakistan, 400 by the mid-1980s. That number has future generations – a journey Department could barely believe the role restored seas can play in a green as it closes in on its prey now almost doubled: in 2012 Kenya had we’ll walk together.” their eyes when they spotted this recovery, and restore our coastal habitats. cat while flming a herd of Kashmir

© NITISH MADAN / WWF-INTERNATIONAL MADAN © NITISH markhor – a type of large goat with

We celebrated spiral horns – grazing in the Tooshi- With your help, we’ve SILENCE OF THE SNARES Global Tiger Day Shasha Wildlife Conservancy. played a major role in Wild tiger populations are increasing in July with good The lynx was almost perfectly developing strategies news for tigers that have supported the in fve countries thanks to conservation camoufaged, crouching behind black rhino’s recovery eforts. Sadly, this is not the case in south- a rock. What followed was a east Asia, where snares are contributing dramatic hunt few people have to a wildlife extinction crisis ever witnessed. The lynx stalked This year marks 10 years since the governments the markhor herd down the rocky of 13 tiger range countries agreed the goal of mountainside before pouncing on doubling the number of tigers in the wild. At that a yearling, killing it swiftly. © EMILIO WHITE time, the global tiger population was at an all-time Like snow leopards, which © NYAL MUEENUDDIN / WWF-PAKISTAN / KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT WILDLIFE PAKHTUNKHWA / KHYBER / WWF-PAKISTAN MUEENUDDIN © NYAL low of as few as 3,200. But thanks to conservation we’ve been working to protect in measures, tigers are making a comeback in Pakistan for many years, the lynx Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Russia, and the is a top predator that plays global population now stands at around 3,900. a crucial role in maintaining JAGUARS ON THE UP Despite this historic achievement, tigers remain the balance of the Himalayan Jaguars are making a comeback in South threatened by poaching for the illegal wildlife Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. This is a big ecosystem. A few decades ago, its America’s Atlantic Forest, with the latest data trade, habitat destruction and fragmentation. reason why tigers are now presumed extinct in wild prey – markhor – were close suggesting that numbers in the south-west This has reached critical levels in south-east Asia, these countries. And the loss of wildlife from to extinction. The cats were forced of the region have doubled over the past 15 where a snaring crisis is decimating wildlife, remote and rural areas threatens indigenous to survive on livestock instead, years. When monitoring work began in 2005 including tigers and their prey. communities who rely on natural resources. causing some farmers to retaliate. the population in this area was estimated Commercial poachers set large numbers of We’re urging governments in south-east Asia to With the help of our partners

at 30 to 54 individuals. But it’s been steadily / WWF-UK CERNIUS © JUOZAS snares – deadly traps made from cable or wire better support protected areas with enforcement and local communities, we’ve growing. The latest fgures suggest there are – to catch wild animals, often illegally. They sell and patrolling, strengthen legislation, end the rebuilt the population of markhor between 84 and 125 jaguars here now, out the meat to urban middle-class consumers in illegal wildlife trade, and start projects to reduce so the lynx are now less likely to of a total population of 150–200 across the east and south-east Asia, where it’s increasingly demand. These eforts must engage communities attack livestock. With the rise in whole of the Atlantic Forest. Researchers regarded as a delicacy. Our Silence of the Snares as leaders and partners. If taken holistically, these numbers of wild prey, we hope the analysed more than 440,000 camera trap report estimates there are 12.3 million snares measures could help halt and reverse the snaring lynx population has increased too. photos to reach this estimate. threatening wildlife in protected areas in crisis and ensure the tigers’ survival. 8 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 9 RESTORING OCEAN HEALTH CORAL REEFS

A whitetip reef shark cruises over a vibrant coral reef in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji. Shark-diving tourism is estimated to have contributed US$42 million to the Fijian economy in 2010, of which US$4 million was paid directly to local communities REEF RESCUE With your support, we’ve identifed resilient coral reefs that could survive climate change and help regenerate our oceans. It’s an important breakthrough, as these vital habitats are being lost on an unprecedented scale © GETTY

10 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 11 RESTORING OCEAN HEALTH CORAL REEFS

Critically endangered hawksbill Vulcan Inc and national governments, we’re economy. Securing local, regional and resources. “If your only way of making a turtles help maintain healthy aiming to protect so-called ‘regeneration national support is crucial. So we’re talking living is fshing, or if you can only cut down coral reefs. With their beak- like mouths, they remove the reefs’ so that they can seed others elsewhere to politicians and authorities in the seven mangroves to make charcoal, there isn’t a lot sponges that compete with – a kind of submarine Noah’s Ark. And that countries to help shape the legislation needed of resilience in your lifestyle,” explains Carol. corals. This creates space for means tackling a range of local problems. to protect the reefs, and evolve land and “If something goes wrong with the reef reef-building corals to “It’s a delicate balance: lots of things marine planning and management. This will system, or when the mangroves are all gone, colonise and grow need to align for coral to remain healthy,” also help inspire the investment needed. what else can you do? So creating other explains Carol Phua, our global CRRI livelihood options is critical, for example manager. “Water quality is critical, and SAFEGUARDING REEFS TOGETHER through micro-fnancing small businesses often dependent on land vegetation. When Crucially, we’re also working with local in ecotourism or organic farming. And these coastal mangroves or rainforests are cleared communities to share their knowledge and need to be options that are wanted, not what – to make way for oil palm plantations, for understand their needs. “Our vision is not we think we should ofer: communities need example – rain washes soil downstream and only to build and maintain the resilience to be owners of their own resources.” anguage is a curious and revealing into the ocean, where it settles as sediment of these reefs, but also the resilience of One of the frst sites that the CRRI is thing. Take the term ‘coral reef’. on the reef and sufocates the corals. coastal communities who are dependent supporting is Fiji, home of the Great Sea In Bahasa Indonesia, national language “Illegal logging inland can cause mudslides on these reefs,” explains Carol. “So we’re Reef, known locally as Cakaulevu. At over of the world’s largest island nation, that inundate reefs,” Carol continues. targeting health and education. Climate 200km, it’s the third-longest barrier reef in the translation is batu karang, batu “And untreated sewage smothers coral with change disproportionately afects women the world. This marine biodiversity hotspot Lmeaning ‘rock’. The word speaks of strength, bacteria. Then there’s overfshing, which and children, so we’re particularly focusing harbours around 40% of the known marine solidity, uniformity. Yet tropical reefs are can tip the balance of species in the reef on family planning, fnancial budgeting and fora and fauna in Fiji, and supplies as much spectacularly colourful in their diversity, ecosystem, and bottom-trawling or fshing education for women and children.” as 80% of the fsh caught for the domestic and also among the most fragile and complex with explosives or cyanide, which can Many communities living close to coral fsheries industry. The communities here habitats on Earth. They’re not inert minerals damage the reef structure.” reefs struggle to overcome poverty. The reefs hold traditional rights known as qoliqoli to – they’re very much alive. That’s a lot of challenges. But, together often provide their primary source of protein manage their local fshing grounds, including Of Indonesia’s estimated 51,000 sq km of with the rest of our CRRI partners, we’re and income from fshing and tourism, but the creating protected areas. coral reefs, its eastern region alone comprises determined to overcome them and make lack of alternative livelihood opportunities “For every Fijian brought up by the ocean, perhaps 60% of global hard coral species, the most of the chance to develop a blue can force them to rely too heavily on coastal the frst thing they see as they grow up is around which shimmer more than 1,650 types of reef fsh, as well as graceful turtles, lithe eels, tiny seahorses and shy octopuses. to ‘feed’ its host. When This incredible biodiversity is replicated sea temperatures rise globally. Coral reefs occupy less than 1% (by as little as 1°C ), this Together, just seven countries of the ocean foor, but provide habitat for “SINCE 1980, AROUND relationship breaks down, are home to 69% of the coral around 25% of marine life – an estimated one prompting the coral to expel reefs that could survive climate THE WORLD’S MOST RESILIENT REEFS change and help regenerate million species. A coral reef isn’t just pretty. the algae. The coral loses its reefs around the world 50% OF TROPICAL pigmentation – hence the CORAL CATASTROPHE description of ‘bleaching’ – Today, though, coral reefs are under threat. CORALS HAVE BEEN and may die. Since 1980, around 50% of tropical corals 5% have been lost as a result of human activity REEFS OF HOPE Cuba 9% LOST AS A RESULT OF Philippines and a crucial, too-familiar factor: climate The good news is that some healthy 41% change. Large-scale coral bleaching events, coral reefs can resist bleaching. Corals Indonesia caused by extended periods of elevated sea HUMAN ACTIVITY” can survive in this state for a short period, temperatures, were frst recorded in the early and are able to recover if water temperatures 1980s. They have since increased in intensity, reefs alone are estimated at US$6 billion. subside, obtaining new zooxanthellae from 4% extent, duration and frequency. But the real cost will be borne by the people the water. Bleached reef structures can be Tanzania The frst global bleaching event recorded, who depend on the habitat for food, coastal recolonised by larvae produced by coral 3% Solomon in 1998, devastated 16% of the world’s coral protection and income. elsewhere. And not all reefs, nor all coral 2% Islands reefs. Between 2014 and 2017, three-quarters Corals are colonies of polyps – tiny, sac- species within a reef, are equally exposed to Madagascar of tropical coral reefs experienced heat stress like invertebrates related to sea anemones. the efects of climate change. A number of coral reefs across the 5% severe enough to trigger bleaching. Climate Reef-building species, which typically inhabit A 2018 study identifed the areas of coral Fiji models project that, even if the average global shallow tropical waters, secrete calcium reef worldwide that are most likely to survive tropics are relatively resilient to temperature rise is limited to 1.5°C (a core carbonate to create hard exoskeletons. But projected climate change, and that have the bleaching events caused by climate be recolonised. Nearly 70% of these to climate change and are connected long-term goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement), it’s a slow process: some reefs grow less than greatest capacity to regenerate degraded change, perhaps because local rises resilient reefs are found in just to other reefs by ocean currents. perhaps 70–90% of tropical coral reefs could 1mm each year. These species obtain much reefs. Some 70% of them are in seven in sea temperature are less severe seven countries: Indonesia (41%), Working with partners and local © TOM VIERUS / WWF-US VIERUS © TOM be lost by 2100. If temperatures rise 2°C or of their energy – and colour – from algae countries in south-east Asia, the west Pacifc, or typically coincide with cyclone Philippines (9%), Cuba (5%), Fiji (5%), people in chosen areas within those more, less than 1% are likely to survive. commonly called zooxanthellae, which live east Africa and the Caribbean. Through seasons when exposure to sunlight Tanzania (4%), Solomon Islands (3%) sites, we’ll develop strategies for each This isn’t just a tragedy for wildlife – it’s a within their cells in a symbiotic relationship: the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (CRRI), (a contributing factor) is reduced. and Madagascar (2%). Within these location that support communities disaster for us all. We’re increasingly coming the coral provides dissolved carbon and in partnership with Wildlife Conservation In 2018, a study identifed these countries, the study identifed 12 large in safeguarding their reefs and to understand the value of the so-called blue nitrogen to the guest algae, which ‘fxes’ it Society, Rare, CARE International, Blue resilient reefs and places where reef sites covering 500 sq km or more, livelihoods, in the hope of reseeding economy: annual fshing revenues from coral into organic compounds via photosynthesis Ventures, the University of Queensland, other, bleached coral reefs could which have both a level of resistance the coral reefs of tomorrow. 12 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 13 RESTORING OCEAN HEALTH CORAL REEFS WHAT DO “WE HAVE A UNIQUE REEF RESIDENTS OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD Countless creatures depend on CORAL REEFS coral reefs for food, shelter and reproduction. Many of them A FUTURE FOR THESE also contribute to the health DO FOR US? of the ecosystem These beautiful ecosystems ‘REGENERATION REEFS’ IN contain some of the greatest SHARKS diversity of life on the planet. Several species of The vast, deep stretch of FIJI AND ELSEWHERE” sharks live entirely or largely They also provide a host of nutrient-rich sea between on and around coral reefs. They Fiji’s two main islands is alive essential services for people help maintain the health of the reef with colourful coral gardens habitat and seagrass beds as apex predators and large schools of reef fsh controlling fsh populations, through faecal FOOD deposits of nutrients and other factors. An estimated We surveyed the Great 275 million people live within Sea Reef, which is home to 30km of reefs, with 500 million 75% of Fiji’s coral species depending heavily on populations and an estimated 80% of all of its reef fsh of reef fsh as their source of protein and income. PROTECTION Coral reefs are natural PYGMY SEAHORSES barriers that protect Tiny but hugely charismatic, several nearly 200 million people from species of these curious fsh live mostly storm surges and tsunamis. They or solely on soft corals. also protect seagrass beds and mangroves from being uprooted. HAWKSBILL disease. We also trialled acoustic sound We have a unique opportunity to build a TURTLES These graceful traps to record the noises made by ocean future for these ‘regeneration reefs’ in Fiji reptiles help TOURISM invertebrates. The more complex and intense and elsewhere. But we need to act quickly. maintain the health Coral reefs and the sounds, the more diverse the life on the “Realistically, we have fve years,” says Carol. of coral reefs by removing prey such their rich marine life are a big reef is likely to be. “If we don’t secure these reefs within that as sponges from the surface. draw for international tourists, The team is still analysing the video time by sufciently reducing the threats, there They attract tourists and are attracted by activities such as culturally important to many the reef,” explains Tui Macuata Ratu Wilia to develop a feld-based study system that footage gathered, but it’s already clear that won’t be enough reef left for us to rescue.” local coastal communities. diving and snorkelling, who spend Katonivere, traditional leader of the province provides insights into how nature responds fsh abundance and diversity are highly an estimated US$36 billion a year of Matuata on Vanua Levu. “To me, the Great to human pressures, and how conservation variable across the reef. Though there is in destinations near to reefs. Sea Reef is not only alive, it’s a source of eforts can help reduce the efects of some evidence of coral bleaching, the Great sanctuary for us, the fsh and the marine life.” these pressures,” says David Curnick, a Sea Reef has not experienced the mass HELP US RESTORE REEFS Yet, despite such reverence, Fiji’s reefs postdoctoral research associate at the bleaching events that have destroyed corals You’re supporting our work to protect are threatened by climate change, pollution Zoological Society of London, who leads the elsewhere. Next year, we aim to run further the world’s most resilient coral reefs, MEDICINES securing the future of wildlife and Corals are yielding and overfshing. “Fiji is dependent on Biome Health Project marine work. surveys and take a more detailed look at people who depend on these vital compounds used to develop monoculture sugar-cane farming, which fshing methods in the area to measure ecosystems. But the Biome Health medicines that could treat relies heavily on pesticides and fertilisers,” REEF UNDER PRESSURE their impact on the reef. The results will Project needs extra funding to conditions including cancer, explains Carol. “The run-of causes damage Last year, the project team, along with WWF provide a ‘baseline’ to record the future continue surveying Fiji’s Great Sea arthritis, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, to the reefs. So we’re hoping to encourage colleagues in Fiji and the US, surveyed health of the reef. Reef. Here’s how you can help: and viral and bacterial infections. investment in organic farming and a the Great Sea Reef. They used underwater We’ll also develop a long-term reef- PARROTFISH shift to other crops, or even agroforestry.” photography and stereo dive-operated monitoring programme to help determine if These colourful fsh help to shape reefs, £10 could pay for a fsh ID guide munching dead coral but also feeding on

Meanwhile, some parts of the Great Sea video cameras to build up an image of the the conservation activities being implemented algae that can otherwise outcompete coral. | © GETTY / WWF-US VIERUS © TOM £20 could help with the cost of CULTURAL Reef are commercially exploited for live reef underwater environment and assess the are efective. And we’ll support the Fijian They also excrete much of the white sand fsh, and illegal fshing has contributed to general health of the ecosystem, based on government with meeting its commitment renting a boat for the survey found on tropical beaches! IDENTITY dwindling fsh populations. three critical parts of the reef: seabed to establish a network of marine protected £50 could help us purchase a GoPro Many communities living by coral To understand the impact of these threats, (coral, algae, sponges), fsh, and invertebrates areas to cover 30% of the country’s waters. camera to survey the reef reefs value them highly. Not only we’re supporting an initiative to assess the such as sea cucumbers, giant clams and This is critical to ensure a healthy reef, as £100 could help pay for software to do the reefs provide food and health of the Great Sea Reef, as well as other crown-of-thorns starfsh. David observes: “Overfshing removes fsh SEA SNAKES analyse the video images livelihoods, they are considered critical habitats for wildlife and people that The results reveal the percentage of coral and invertebrates from the reef, which can Sea snakes and kraits are almost entirely dependent on coral reefs, a vital element of their natural face similar threats in Kenya, Nepal and cover, the coral species present, and the enable fast-growing algae to take hold and Donate: wwf.org.uk/reefrescue diving down to hunt fsh sheltering heritage and cultural identity. Borneo. “The Biome Health Project aims prevalence of factors such as bleaching or outcompete coral.” in small holes in the reef. 14 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 15 PROTECTING HABITATS NATURE’S THERAPY

The sovereign of the woods, the English oak holds a special place in our culture, history and hearts. It supports more life than any other native tree species in the UK, from red squirrels to stag beetles, and noctule bats to purple hairstreak butterfies

THE NATURE OF HAPPINESS Forests are vital to our health and our planet, but over 10 billion trees are felled every year. So with your help, we’re working to protect and restore one trillion trees by 2050

he coronavirus pandemic changed It feels as if we’ve known forever that trees our daily existence suddenly and are good for wildlife. How many of us were WORDS BY DEREK NIEMANN; ILLUSTRATION © DANNY ALLISON © DANNY ILLUSTRATION NIEMANN; DEREK BY WORDS dramatically this year. Lives that had taught that our much-loved oak could sustain been spent transitioning seamlessly up to 350 species of invertebrate? That its and automatically from computer leaves provided food for bugs that were eaten Tto car to shopping centre came to an abrupt by other bugs that were eaten by birds that halt. Instead, we took to our feet, following made their nests in those same trees? government exhortations to take exercise in But this was an underestimation. A study the park or countryside close to our homes. last year discovered the true number of The pandemic has had terrible impacts, but invertebrates that owe their lives to the oak is many people experienced moments of delight more than three times that fgure. And that that lingered for days. They had discovered oaks could support more than 2,300 species something that scientists have now proven: of birds, mammals, fungi, invertebrates, that nature is good for our health. And among lichens and mosses and liverworts in total. the organisms giving gifts to our minds and Such arboreal bounty spreads all over a bodies, there is one that stands especially tall. planet where one third of the land surface is 16 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 17 PROTECTING HABITATS NATURE’S THERAPY

steel and concrete. And, of course, they perform the miracle of converting carbon dioxide into FOUR WAYS oxygen. They are the lungs of the planet. But at an individual level, TO CONNECT we’ve only just started to realise how much trees can help every one of us. Stuart WITH TREES calls their magic formula “the aroma of the forest”. What many people had Go forest bathing understood intuitively Spending time in woodlands lowers gained a scientifc foundation 1 stress and increases wellbeing. To in the 1980s. We already knew wildlife enjoy the full benefts, walk slowly through experiences gave us a boost. As Stuart says: the trees and clear your mind of everything The purple hairstreak “You see something great in nature and it except what you can see, feel or smell. butterfy may be found wherever there are oak trees gives you a huge dopamine hit.” A brilliant Notice the sunlight dappling the ground, in the south – even a single butterfy or a nuthatch shinning up a trunk the rustling of leaves, and the sensations tree may support a colony delivers an immediate high. But there’s of diferent surfaces. Avoid judgement, something about being with trees that is just observe what’s real. This will help you covered by forest, sustaining more than three do for trees; it’s what they’re doing for us. deeper and longer lasting. feel more removed from your thoughts quarters of bird species, not to mention all WWF’s Stuart Dainton ofers a hint and enjoy more peaceful refection. the animals wholly dependent on the forests into a diferent kind of future. “The rich MOOD-BOOSTING BRANCHES – from lemurs in Madagascar, to gorillas in biodiversity of our forests is understood,” Around 30 years ago, Japanese behavioural Take a snif the Congo and jaguars in the Amazon. he says. “What’s less known are the trees’ scientists studying workers stressed by the Inhale the scents of the forest to And the statistics about the wild riches of a benefts to us and our health and wellbeing.” impact of a technology boom found that 2 enhance your mood and experience habitat we’re still only beginning to unfurl as Stuart heads up our joint venture with immersion in nature using all of their senses physical benefts. By deeply inhaling a fast as leaves: between 2010 and 2013, more BirdLife International and Wildlife had a positive efect on their mental health. smell, you slow your breathing, which than 400 ‘new’ species were found in the Conservation Society called Trillion Trees. Four hours in a forest would bring maximum decreases physical stress responses. Amazon alone. Its vision is one where the world’s tree cover efects, but any exposure would be benefcial. Snifng pine and fr decreases cortisol Less than one human generation ago, is expanding, not shrinking, with one trillion So began shirin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’. levels and boosts immune system activity. scientists discovered that trees operate a trees regrown, saved from loss and better And within the past few years, the research Acorns grow more quickly away from Inhaling the green-leaf volatile oils emitted complex system of mutual support. Trees protected around the world by 2050. has been given a chemical explanation. the oak they fell from, as the tree by crushed vegetation reduces stress and blocks the sun. Red squirrels help by in the forest are social; they communicate Trillion Trees has a three-pronged focus The secret lies in phytoncides, natural burying acorns far from the tree and improves memory. So breathe deeply. with each other, exchanging messages to end deforestation, improve protection and oils that trees and plants release to protect then failing to come back for them and nutrients through a vast underground advance restoration by creating rich, diverse themselves from attack by insects, bacteria or Listen to the trees network, using their root systems and forests. It’s a venture that delivers for our harmful fungi – the Latin name translates as Abandon your inhibitions, press connected fungi. A mother tree passes forests, helping partners and organisations ‘killed by a plant’. Such chemicals may be bad found phytoncides reduce stress hormones, “Given the chance, nature can return 3 your ear against a tree trunk and on nutrients to her saplings. An acacia being around the world to take action for trees. And news for potential predators, but they provide improve our sleep patterns and signifcantly quickly. Restoring forests can bring a windy day you’ll hear the trees making a browsed by a girafe sends a warning it might just have a leafy ace up its sleeve. enormous benefts for humans. increase the activity of our own natural early benefts, but in terms of carbon magical, conversational, mellifuous sound to neighbouring acacias that it’s under Looking at the big picture, the evidence A Japanese study that began in 2005 killer (NK) cells, a type of white blood cell sequestration we won’t see those benefts as their branches sway in the wind. attack and so they produce toxins to repel of trees acting as a bastion against that enhances the activity of anti-cancer until much further down the line,” explains

the invader. We have come to name this disaster, especially from Odd-shaped growths on the proteins. It showed that the benefcial Stuart. “So it’s essential we keep our Get to know a tree astonishing network the wood-wide web. climate change, is foliage, fowers, acorns and efects of taking a walk in the woods could existing forests standing, where they are Test your memory with a family stems of oak trees are often 4 huge. They act as deep last more than 30 days. now, to keep all their benefts. member in the forest. One of you caused by gall wasps. The UK FIGHTING FOR FORESTS repositories of carbon, is home to about 70 species We’ve seen a rapid surge in the medical “Life-changing events such as the should wear a blindfold, while the other We delight in trees, we fnd joy in forests. they stem the erosion profession embracing variations on forest pandemic can give us the time to rethink acts as a guide. Take your blindfolded We relish the changing seasons: the fush of of soils and hold back bathing. In 2006, Dutch health scientist and reset things. The challenge now is to partner on a winding walk before choosing spring, the colours of autumn, gnarly ancient fooding in a world of Dr Peter Groenewegan and his colleagues act on what we learn so that we can protect a tree. The blindfolded person must get to trees, the intricacies of branches. But beauty increasingly erratic coined ‘vitamin G’, a memorable name that both our own health and wellbeing, and the ILLUSTRATION © DANNY ALLISON | © GETTY ALLISON © DANNY ILLUSTRATION know that tree using all their senses except cannot protect itself and a tree’s bark is no weather patterns, acknowledged the medicinal infuence of future of the planet.” So visit your favourite sight. When ready, lead your partner back defence against a chainsaw. and they help green space. Medical practitioners now wood this autumn – or take part in our Big to the starting point. Then remove the We are losing trees as fast as we learn drive inland ofer green space among what they would Winter Wander in January (see page 28) – blindfold and see if that person can fnd about them. Once there were six trillion trees water cycles. They call ‘social prescriptions’, urging patients to and take a deep breath. And know that what ‘their’ tree again. Swap roles and do it again. on the planet, now there are half that number. provide us with go for outdoor therapy. Its role as a route to you’re taking in is doing you good. And 10 billion trees are being destroyed every building materials, tackling mental health issues such as stress, For more ideas, download our free year. We are living through a catastrophe with wood increasingly and helping patient wellbeing, is becoming FIND OUT MORE Thriving With Nature guide, produced for nature, for people, for the planet. There becoming a benign generally accepted. To read more about our ambitious in partnership with the Mental is one thing that could play a crucial role in substitute for the carbon- Trillion Trees is a project that requires plans to protect and restore the world’s Health Foundation, at wwf.org.uk/ reversing that decline. It’s not what we could spewing production of immediate action for long-term results. forests, visit trilliontrees.org thrivingwithnature 18 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 19 THE BIG PICTURE

STUDYING SEALS FROM SPACE Thanks to new technology, seals may hold the secret to monitoring the health of the Antarctic ecosystem and how it’s being afected by climate change Massive and mysterious habitats, icebergs are dynamic kingdoms that support a wealth of marine life. As they drift and rotate at the whim of polar currents, melting icebergs release critical nutrients in their wake. The fertile waters create blooms of phytoplankton that attract krill – the favourite food of crabeater seals. This spectacular image was a winner in the 2020 BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition. During an expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, French photographer Greg Lecoeur braved the frigid waters to catch a rare glimpse of life below the surface. Here, he encountered a crew of crabeater seals that had taken up residence on a drifting iceberg. Clumsy and slow on land, crabeater seals are elegant and agile in the water. They spend their entire lives in the dynamic and barely accessible sea-ice zone that surrounds the frozen continent. Historically, this has made studying them almost impossible. But as one © GREG LECOEUR / BIGPICTURE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES of the largest consumers of krill, ice seals can help us identify changes in the health of the Antarctic. We’re supporting research involving monitoring seal populations from space. Using high-resolution satellite imagery, we can gain a greater understanding of their habitat preferences and population trends. Through this, we can learn more about the areas with the most abundant krill, a vital source of food for many Antarctic species, and how they’re being afected by climate change. This will help us to identify which areas need greater protection to give species time to adapt.

Find out more at wwf.org.uk/sealsfromspace and see more great images at bigpicturecompetition.org

20 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 21 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

In the Amazon, the Covid-19 crisis has threatened s if a reminder risen in parts of Africa and the health of indigenous were needed of just Asia. At the same time, communities and increased how inextricably resources for livelihood the risk of land grabbing. intertwined the support, policing and So we’re stepping up our eforts to help human and natural preventing illegal hunting worldsA are, the recent and deforestation have pandemic has provided it all shrunk. Government funds too dramatically. A virus that have been diverted away almost certainly emerged in from conservation to help a wild animal and jumped coronavirus relief, reducing to humans is devastating stafng levels while virus- lives and livelihoods around related safety measures the globe, demonstrating create logistical challenges. clearly that our health and And some governments are that of our planet are directly weakening environmental or connected. land-ownership legislation This isn’t a one-way street DeforestationIn Khata corridor, within the for political reasons or encouragesTerai Arc region the of Nepal, but a vicious circle. In many spreadcommunity-led of diseases anti-poaching to allow fast-tracking of areas, the outbreak is having byunits increasing include contactmany female infrastructure projects to a palpable impact on habitats betweenmembers, humans who protect the kickstart economies. forest and its wildlife and wildlife, which may in and animals Yet the need to address turn increase the risk of more issues such as deforestation pandemics. So while our work is continuing US$120 billion, generating 21.8 million jobs and the illegal trade in wildlife is more to protect our planet’s precious wild places, – livelihoods now ravaged by the pandemic. important than ever – not least to reduce we’re also addressing the human cost of The virus is afecting wildlife too, both the risk of future pandemics. Covid-19 is Covid-19, and pushing for action to avert directly and indirectly. Chimpanzees and just the latest in a series of outbreaks that further outbreaks. gorillas are highly susceptible to respiratory have proliferated as habitat destruction, STANDING And that starts with local communities viruses, so are likely to be vulnerable to the deforestation and intensive farming bring who have been severely impacted. pathogen causing Covid-19. But the human populations of wild animals, livestock cost also has consequences for wildlife. and people closer together, creating ideal GUARDIANS OF NATURE In many areas, human populations conditions for virus transmission. Many indigenous peoples are critical are shifting: people who’ve lost jobs in guardians of wildlife and habitats, as cities return home to villages, putting TACKLING THE CAUSES their ways of life and cultures are often Over the past 30 years, some 60–70% of TOGETHER intrinsically connected to nature. However, new human diseases have had a zoonotic Covid-19 has severely impacted many of the they are often excluded and marginalised, origin. And the frequency of such outbreaks lacking access to basic services such is increasing. To tackle this, we need to “INDIGENOUS / WWF-UK / WHISKAS AGENCY GINKGO / THE WYK VAN | © GARY / WWF-UK CRUPPE © MARIZILDA communities we work with, their local habitats as healthcare or clean water. They are, protect and restore forests, to build a therefore, disproportionately afected by PEOPLES ARE more sustainable food system, and to stop and the animals found there. But you’re diseases and other health problems. illegal and unregulated wildlife trade. With fewer law-enforcement ofcials able And we must focus on a sustainable, helping us support the wildlife protectors to access forests during the pandemic, there VITAL GUARDIANS green economy, which improves people’s and tackle the causes of pandemics has also been an increased risk of land economic situation, health and wellbeing. invasions and encroachment on indigenous OF WILDLIFE AND Clearly, the current crisis adds to the lands. And there have been severe economic challenges we face in reaching these goals – impacts, particularly for communities who but it also creates opportunities to reshape rely on ecotourism for their livelihoods. HABITATS” policy at home and around the world. “Ecotourism makes a huge contribution For example, as the UK seeks to strike IMPACTS OF PANDEMICS to local and national economies and it pressure on rural healthcare systems and new international trade deals, we have literally collapsed overnight,” says Damian natural resources – with repercussions the chance to lead the world with our food DEFORESTATION WILDLIFE AT RISK INDIGENOUS LOCAL INCOMES PEOPLE SUPPORT Fleming, our director of conservation for conservation. “This elevates the risk of and environmental standards of imports, Endangered primates including programmes. “People working in and human-wildlife confict, and increases the helping reverse habitat destruction and ACCELERATES gorillas died during Ebola PEOPLES PLUMMET CHANGE around the sector are sufering – from likelihood of hunting for wild meat and move to sustainable farming globally. Data from Global Land Analysis outbreaks in Gabon and the Bookings with over 90% of 65% of respondents to a poll in guides and scouts and artists who sell other pressures on resources, such as illegal So we’re calling on the government to and Discovery suggests Democratic Republic of DEVASTATED African safari tour operators 14 countries supported a ‘green’ deforestation has increased the Congo between More than 29,000 members declined by more than 75% economic recovery, where handicrafts to tourists, to communities who clearing of protected areas for frewood or enshrine in law a requirement to eliminate more than 50% across Asia, 1997 and 2004, of indigenous communities in following the outbreak of looking after the environment earn their income from accommodation farming,” says Damian. “It’s about survival.” deforestation from the UK’s imports. “We Africa and Latin America with mortality Brazil have been diagnosed with Covid-19. Many lost all bookings, and tackling climate change are and conservancy levies.” An estimate in Anecdotal evidence suggests that must be a voice for change,” says Damian. during the pandemic. rates of up to 97%. coronavirus so far. devastating local employment. the priorities. 2019 valued global wildlife tourism at incidents of poaching for wild meat have “Otherwise we’ll face more pandemics.”

22 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 23 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

HOW YOU’RE HELPING “I WANT TO SEND HEARTFELT MARA ECOSYSTEM, KENYA Ecotourism plays a vital role in Kenyan explains Damian. “Covid-19 and the communities. We’ll try to infuence Since the outbreak of the pandemic, requests for THANKS TO WWF’S MEMBERS conservation, raising funds to help crash of tourism has hit Africa hard, so the distribution of those funds to WWF’s support have increased signifcantly. With your protect key areas and ensuring local we need to respond at diferent levels. make sure they help achieve the best help, we’re continuing to work with our conservation FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT US communities beneft from the wildlife The frst is the emergency response: possible outcomes for wildlife and partners around the world to protect our most precious they safeguard. The conservancy getting personal protective equipment communities. wildlife, forests and natural environments, and support DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. system of community-based to staf, rangers and communities, and “The third is working with the people who depend on these habitats for their conservation areas provides income raising funds to help those impacted by communities to fnd the best and livelihoods. We’re also helping the most vulnerable to to local families through a share in declines in tourism revenue. most appropriate ways to support respond to the crisis and its varied impacts. Thanks to YOUR SUPPORT IS NOW MORE tourism revenues. One example, the “The second is building back them. This includes considering how you, local communities in the hardest-hit areas now have Mara Siana Conservancy, which is better. In May, Kenya’s government food and agriculture systems can access to emergency relief. You’ve helped ensure the CRITICAL THAN EVER. THANK YOU” adjacent to the Maasai Mara National announced a fscal stimulus package sustainably generate more income, safety of rangers in protected areas, to enable them to Reserve, provides 1,200 individual of over 53 billion shillings [nearly £400 such as helping local growers sell continue monitoring wildlife, and you’ve supported DAMIAN FLEMING landowners with an income from million], some of which is destined their products to new markets.” communities to diversify their livelihoods. land leases and accommodation. for the tourism industry and With the collapse of tourism, You helped provide modern beehives for this female-led beekeeping enterprise it’s estimated the community in the Oloisukut Conservancy in will lose US$160,000 in revenue Kenya’s Mara ecosystem this year. So we’re exploring AMAZON & CERRADO, ways of reducing the reliance on ecotourism to increase resilience in local communities. BRAZIL “It’s crucial we help create Indigenous peoples and local communities economic opportunities for in Brazil are facing twin threats. Not only local people – and that means are their homes and lands at increased risk diversifying livelihoods,” from illegal deforestation, but they’re also particularly vulnerable to the new virus. In Brazil, Covid-19 has afected at least 150 indigenous groups, many of whom have no access to health facilities, and are disproportionately impacted by lockdowns and travel restrictions. In Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado regions, we’re connecting local communities with the resources they need. Thanks to your support, more than 30,000 people now have access to food, hygiene products, personal protective TERAI ARC, INDIA & NEPAL equipment and other materials. Mauricio Voivodic, executive director of Tiger habitats in the Terai region of northern India Doma Poudel is a member of a community-led One recipient is Bitate Uru-eu-wau-wau WWF-Brazil. Protection of critical areas has and Nepal have come under increasing pressure anti-poaching team, which runs daily patrols of the

(pictured). President of the indigenous been weakened during the pandemic: funding from a raft of factors related to the pandemic. Miragunj bufer zone near Chitwan National Park. | © GETTY KENYA / WWF OKANDE | © AUSTINE / WWF-UK CRUPPE © MARIZILDA association Jupaú and a leader of the Uru-eu- to IBAMA (the Brazilian Environmental Tourism is vital here, particularly in Nepal where “People’s dependency on the forest has increased,” wau-wau Indigenous Land in Rondônia state, Agency) has been cut, and at least one-third it generates 95% of national park revenues, up to she explains. “Communities living in areas close Brazil, his community receives donations of IBAMA’s feld operatives, considered 50% of which is granted to communities living in to the national park were already poor, and if they from WWF through the Kanindé Ethno- particularly vulnerable to Covid-19, are not bufer zones around reserves. Since lockdown, can’t buy gas, they’ll collect frewood and grass. Environmental Defense Association. “The currently engaged in enforcement operations. these revenues have plummeted, along with There’s also been a rise in illegal fshing and the food and hygiene products we’ve been given In response, we’re increasing our legal, income from family-run homestays, farming threat of poaching is ever-present.” help us to stay in isolation in our villages. campaigning and advocacy work, in Brazil enterprises and other small businesses. Despite the challenges brought about by They save us from having to risk going to the and the UK, to fght legislation that weakens At the same time, thousands of migrant workers Covid-19, Doma remains optimistic. “We’re all city to buy food,” he explains. “Right now, no protection of Brazil’s precious forests and have returned to Nepal’s Terai Arc, increasing playing our part here in Chitwan,” she explains. one here is infected and we hope it will stay indigenous peoples’ rights. pressure on natural resources, such as frewood, in “If communities, young people, government that way. But our main concern is the invasion “We simply can’t aford to lose the rural areas. Cuts in government funding may also agencies and NGOs unite, we can overcome the of indigenous lands that has increased in our Amazon – it’s too important,” adds Damian. reduce capacity to monitor protected areas. The threats to nature.” region during the pandemic.” “And we cannot sit by and allow this pandemic frst month of lockdown in Nepal saw more cases “We’re helping communities through the crisis,” “Deforestation has increased again in 2020, to provide a cover for deforestation and of illegal extraction of forest resources in protected says Damian, “and working with governments to at an even faster pace than 2019,” confrms extermination of indigenous peoples.” areas than the preceding 11 months combined. ensure environmental protection stays a priority.”

24 | Action SpringAutumn 2018 2020 ActionAction Autumn Spring 20202018 | 25 INTERVIEW

XXX

We chat to WWF executive producer Colin Butfeld about our remarkable new flm David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet

Where did the idea for this flm come from? eyes of someone like Sir David, it’s shocking to see When we were making the Our Planet series we how much everything has changed. I hope the flm realised that the greatest changes to the natural shows that we need nature – it’s not just nice to world have mainly occurred during Sir David’s have, it’s fundamental to our existence. And our lifetime. He’s probably seen more of the world than solutions inspire a sense of optimism that we can anyone else who has ever lived. This flm is his actually do this, as well as a desire to take action. witness statement about one of the most important periods in human natural history. How can world leaders act on the solutions proposed in the flm? Was Sir David involved in its making? The flm explains that the scale of change required He’s been very involved – it’s his life story, told is possible, but it can only happen with swift through his eyes. We enjoyed days talking with action at a global level. WWF will be working to him and picking out the most important tales. He’s ensure this message reaches the highest levels very happy with the flm, though he’s also a modest of government and business. I hope the public person and not used to being such a focus of a flm! response to the flm will encourage world leaders to listen to the science and give them the courage How does the flm build on Our Planet? to make big decisions in the important climate and The flm expands on the themes raised in Our biodiversity meetings taking place next year. Planet by looking at how much the planet has changed over a longer time frame – the past 70 How can we ensure a sustainable future years. It’s a relatively short period compared with for a growing global population? the Earth’s long geological history, but things have The challenge is to ensure everyone has access changed quickly and dramatically. The flm focuses to education, healthcare and jobs. This can only on human impacts and some of the greatest areas happen if we restore nature, stabilise the climate of change across the planet – from tropical forests and invest in helping people lift themselves out of to oceans and ice caps. It explores why we must poverty. We have to tackle these things together urgently restore the balance of nature. and in a sustainable way, or the efects won’t last.

What are your highlights from the flm? How can we all help nature recover? I love the opening shot of Sir David walking We all need to speak up and tell governments and through Chernobyl. It’s so poignant when, at the businesses we want them to take action. Within the end of the flm, he walks out into the forest that has next decade, we have to halve global emissions (at sprung up around the ruins. Some of my favourite least!) and start restoring nature on a huge scale. TESTIMONY lines from the whole flm are spoken at this point. Nature is one of our greatest allies in tackling I also like that the solutions explored in the flm climate change – we can’t survive without it. are rooted in natural processes. This is David’s We can all play a part in bringing back nature, area of expertise and his passion. whether it’s gardening for wildlife or cleaning a river. Making small changes in our everyday Chernobyl today is proof of What is the take-away message of the flm? lives can lead to big progress. nature’s amazing ability to bounce back. In the 30 years I think viewers will be shocked by just how much since the nuclear disaster, the world has changed – and how little time we If you didn’t manage to see David Attenborough: the Exclusion Zone – which

© GETTY have left to sort things out. It’s easy not to notice A Life On Our Planet in cinemas last month, you extends 19 miles around the power plant – has become a things altering day by day, but when you stop and can still view it on Netfix. Find out more at TO NATURE haven for wildlife revisit key moments in our history through the attenboroughflm.com 26 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 27 THANK YOU FIGHT FOR YOUR WORLD

2 BE THE CHANGE

FIGHT FOR Find out how you can have a pension that makes you proud INVEST IN A BETTER FUTURE It’s a shocking fact that most of the UK’s £3 trillion pensions pot is invested in funds that include harmful industries such as fossil fuels, tobacco and YOUR WORLD Could your pension fund arms. Most people are unaware their pensions are be contributing to the funding damaging activities that accelerate global warming of the Arctic? At a time when the whole world is fghting one of the most challenging warming and the loss of biodiversity. Explore alternative, ethical investments The Arctic has been warming at more than twice health issues of our generation, the need to unite and make our voices the global average, yet the UK has £279 billion invested in companies that are active there, 88% of heard for the planet has never been greater. #FightForYourWorld which are in oil and gas. UK pension funds are also invested broadly in food and beverage companies, “YOUR to help achieve the government’s target of net zero many of which are sourcing unsustainable soy and emissions by 2050. palm oil linked to deforestation. PENSION Sustainable pensions are showing their resilience, If you’re a member of a company pension scheme, even in the current economic crisis. And switching your employer or a pension fund manager usually your pension could be 27 times more efective decides where this is invested. Unless you’ve opted MIGHT NOT at reducing your carbon footprint than other 1 GIVE FOR YOUR WORLD The Big Winter out, it’s likely your pension is invested in companies sustainable choices, such as eating less meat. Wander is the perfect that may not refect your values. But there are REFLECT To help tackle the climate crisis, we’re asking opportunity to spend Kick-start next year by organising a sponsored time in nature with simple steps you can take to ensure your pension is employers and fund managers to consider impacts walk for WWF with family and friends friends and family securing a better world. YOUR VALUES” and risk from climate change in their investments. Ask your employer for details of where your We’re working with Make My Money Matter, a THE BIG WINTER WANDER funds are invested and if a sustainable investment campaign driven by Richard Curtis, to highlight the We’re coming to the end of 2020 – and what a option is available. If not, ask your provider how role of our pensions in creating a sustainable future. challenging year it’s been. Nature has been there to your portfolio performs against environmental, 2030 CIRCLE ofer us comfort during these difcult times, so why social and governance criteria, and how they plan The 2030 Circle is a Find out more at makemymoneymatter.co.uk not give back and do something amazing to protect the new way to pledge your world’s forests, oceans and wildlife? philanthropic support The Big Winter Wander is WWF’s sponsored walk to WWF and tackle the event, on Sunday 24 January. It’s free to register and all challenges facing our you need to do is organise your own sponsored walk planet: wwf.org. with family and friends* on that day, and pledge uk/2030circle to raise at least £100. You can choose where you walk, who with and how far you go. This event is designed to be fun for everyone, and it’s a 3 BUILD A MOVEMENT great way to get out and enjoy your local green Use your voice to protect nature by spaces. If you’re not free on the day, you can sharing our flm David Attenborough: plan your sponsored walk for another A Life On Our Planet date in January. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive a fundraising pack with lots of handy THE POWER OF OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE tips and tools to help make your Together we can make a big impact. By sponsored walk a success. And our sharing Sir David’s crucial story, you’ll be other people to talk through what you’ve Big Winter Wander team will be “THIS EVENT IS DESIGNED part of a global movement calling for a STEP 1: WATCH THE FILM seen. Conversations can be a catalyst for | © GETTY FILMS / SILVERBACK SCHOLEY © KEITH happy to answer any questions. better future for people and nature. David Attenborough: A Life On Our change, so we’ve created free resources, Just don’t forget to let us know Our new flm, David Attenborough: Planet is now streaming globally on Netfix. which you can fnd online, to help you spark how you get on! TO BE FUN FOR EVERYONE, A Life On Our Planet, refects on humanity’s If you haven’t already seen it, get watching discussion and drive action. momentous impact on nature, and shares – and encourage your friends, family and To fnd out more and AND IS A GREAT WAY TO a powerful message of hope for the future, colleagues to do the same. Visit attenboroughflm.com to to register, visit delivered by the respected naturalist. The access our free toolkits, resources wwf.org.uk/events/ ENJOY GREEN SPACES” flm is Sir David’s witness statement, but STEP 2: START A CONVERSATION and more. And join the conversation winter-wander what happens next is up to you. Share your thoughts online and encourage at #AttenboroughFilm

* Please ensure you follow government guidelines on social distancing. 28 | Action SummerAutumn 20202020 ActionAction SummerAutumn 2020 | 29 COMPETITIONS NOTES FROM THE FIELD

It’s ofcial! This tiger was camera trapped at high altitudes in Nepal’s Mahabharata A LIFE ON OUR PLANET BOOK CROSSWORD mountain range Solve our crossword and you could win Sir David Attenborough’s new book, A Life on a copy of Lily Cole’s book Who Cares Wins: Our Planet, refects on his lifetime as a naturalist Reasons For Optimism In Our Changing – and we have three signed copies to give away World, published by Penguin, worth £20

This thought-provoking book ties in with the release of the documentary flm of the same name by WWF and Silverback Films, in which Attenborough outlines his witness statement for the natural world. In his 94 years, he’s visited every continent on the WIN! globe, exploring the wild places of our planet and documenting its remarkable biodiversity. But he’s also seen frst-hand the A SIGNED COPY devastating scale of humanity’s impact on nature. OF SIR DAVID Honest, revealing and urgent, A Life on Our Planet: ATTENBOROUGH’S My Witness Statement and Vision for the Future sees Sir David explore the biggest challenges facing life on NEW BOOK our planet and the solutions that could turn things around. SKY-HIGH TIGER It’s a powerful message of hope for future generations. From day one, Dadeldhura was full of surprises. Local villagers To enter, follow the instructions below and mark had told us they’d seen a tiger prowling in the misty mountain your entry ‘Attenborough competition’. forests, so – hopeful, but unsure – we travelled to the hilly district to look for the mysterious big cat. Dadeldhura is a beautiful landscape on Nepal’s border with

© JOE FEREDAY / SILVERBACK FILMS / © WWF-UK FILMS / SILVERBACK FEREDAY © JOE India, fanked by rivers to the north and west. Its mountain slopes are cloaked with temperate forests of oak, alder, rhododendron and cedar – not the sort of habitat where we’d EXCLUSIVE WILDLIFE T-SHIRTS expect to fnd a tiger. What’s more, I had never even heard of a tiger at such high altitudes in Nepal before. Could it be true? We’re giving away two stylish wildlife-inspired We arrived to fnd thick snow had fallen overnight, blanketing the ground and draping icicles from branches. It made our organic cotton T-shirts from our exclusive WWF Action crossword 46: Autumn 2020 issue. Compiled by Aleric Linden chances of success seem even slimmer, but I remained hopeful. Elizabeth Grant collection We had already identifed the healthiest areas of forest in the After solving the crossword, take each letter from the shaded squares region and – with the help of local citizen scientists and forestry (going from left to right and top to bottom) to spell out the prize word. We’ve teamed up with artist Elizabeth Grant to SHOP FOR YOUR WORLD workers – set up 32 pairs of camera traps across an area of To be in with a chance to win, just send a postcard with the prize word create these beautiful organic cotton T-shirts in Everything we source, create and sell through the WWF shop almost 130 sq km. To locate the cameras, we looked for the sort to the address on page 30, or email it to [email protected] time for Christmas. They come in nine original exceeds strict environmental and ethical standards. We only of tracks and trails a tiger might use to traverse this hilly region, The closing date is Friday 20 November. designs created exclusively for us, inspired by work with designers and suppliers who share our values, so you such as ridge lines and clif paths. With fngers frmly crossed, threatened wildlife, including an elephant, can be sure that any products you buy are kind to the planet and I returned to Kathmandu and waited for a call from the team sunny outlook (5) gorilla, panda, polar bear, rhino, snow leopard, the people who make them. Clues across who would monitor the cameras every fve days for a month. 1 Outside – a world that needs 7 Predators launch them when going tiger, turtle and whale. There are also designs For more sustainable and inspiring gift ideas for Christmas, protection more than ever (6) for the kill (7) depicting the UK’s much-loved brown hare, and to see our latest creative collaborations with artists and 5 Orangutans are native to this 8 International meetings such as the A CALL ABOUT A CAT otter and pufn. designers, take a look at our full range at wwf.org.uk/shop continent (4) G20 (7) The call came sooner than expected – a cat had triggered a The T-shirts are made of premium 9 Pollutant-absorbing trees improve 12 The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s seven natural ones (7) camera! But elation turned to disappointment when we saw the super-soft, 100% GOTS*-certifed this noticeably (3,7) photo and identifed the feline as a leopard cat. Beautiful, but not 10 Extensive fat landform (5) 13 Any authority combating illegal organic cotton, and are printed 11 Central _ , the region between wildlife trafcking (7) a tiger. It was back to the waiting game. Then I got another call, with AZO-free dyes in the UK. Mexico and Colombia (7) 14 An enriched form of table salt (7) quickly followed by a photo from a camera trap. I couldn’t believe To eliminate mass production, HOW TO ENTER ACTION GIVEAWAYS 13 Green solution for garden waste (7,4) 16 Duke of Edinburgh Conservation _ , my eyes. This time it was a tiger, photographed at a dizzying prestigious WWF honour (5) the shirts are only printed once Send an email with your name, address and phone 15 Galapagos _ , famous archipelago (7) altitude of around 2,500m, a record-breaking height for Nepal! 17 Any full-grown animal (5) 18 A symbol of FSC-certifed wood and we receive your order. They number, along with Attenborough Competition Now we know tigers use these high-altitude habitats, we’ll 20 Marine ecosystems at grave risk paper products (5) are worth £19.50 each and we or T-shirt Competition in the subject line, to from climate change (5,5) 19 _ trawling, destructive method of try to learn more about their movements and survey other have two to give away in the [email protected] 21 _ lakes, water high in alkalinity (4) fshing (4) healthy forests that are outside the region’s protected areas. winners’ choice of designs. See 22 Climate _ , computer-driven Our profound wish is to safeguard and connect tiger habitats in Alternatively, post your entry to Action Magazine, Summer 2020 answers the full range at wwf.org.uk/ predictors of future weather (6) Prize word: CRATERS Nepal and India, strengthen transboundary conservation eforts WWF-UK, Living Planet Centre, Ruford House, NEPAL / WWF © DOFSC shop/elizabeth-grant Clues down Across 1. Bicycle 7. Inuit 9. Rewilding and provide a safe corridor to allow tigers to disperse between To enter, follow the Brewery Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL. 10. Apex 11. Victoria 13. Badger 2 A coral reef surrounding a lagoon (5) 14. Seaway 17. Ligurian 19. Palm protected areas. instructions (right) and Only one competition per entry please. Closing 3 Radioactive metallic element used in 22. Detergent 23. Noise 24. Steppes mark your entry ‘T-shirt date: Friday 20 November 2020. For terms and nuclear energy (7) Down 1. Bowhead 2. Calf 3. Crisis 4. Eighties 5. Sugar 6. Orca 8. Treaty Samundra competition’. Good luck! conditions, visit: wwf.org.uk/compterms 4 Currency used in Europe (4) 12. Hebrides 13. Baleen 15. Whalers 6 Renewable form of power with a 16. Cattle 18. Grain 20. Mate 21. Crop Samundra Subba, research ofcer, WWF-Nepal

* Global Organic Textile Standard 30 | Action Autumn 2020 Action Autumn 2020 | 31 A LOVED ONE REMEMBERED #46 2020 • ISSUE • AUTUMN • ACTION A WORLD PROTECTED

Donating or fundraising in memory of someone you loved is a special and meaningful way to remember them. From creating a tribute fund, collecting donations at their funeral or memorial, or taking part in an event in their name – you can honour their life, while fghting to protect the world they loved.

To fnd out more, please contact Rebecca or Maria by phone 01483 412153, email [email protected] or visit wwf.org.uk/giveinmemory GIVE IN THEIR MEMORY. FIGHT FOR YOUR WORLD. WWF.ORG.UK

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All information correct at time of printing, September 2020