EXCLUSIVE WIN TICKETS DAVID ATTENBOROUGH FILM PREMIERE See page 30 THE MAGAZINE FOR WWF MEMBERS SPRING 2020

FORESTS IN CRISIS A planet without forests is a planet without life – but there’s still time to protect them PLANTING OCEANS OF HOPE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL How you’re helping grow amazing We’re celebrating the launch of a undersea meadows of seagrass, new flm with a powerful message of home to abundant marine life hope from Sir David Attenborough CONTENTS Between January and November 2019, more than seven million hectares of TOGETHER, WE DID IT! 4 A CHAT WITH land in the Brazilian Amazon were A round-up of all you’ve helped STEVE BACKSHALL 26 “IF WE LOSE THE burned. The huge spike in fres is a result of accelerated deforestation us achieve in recent months The popular presenter talks caused by land grabbing and illegal about our changing world – and felling. This is not yesterday’s news – it’s an ongoing crisis WWF IN ACTION 6 how he’s doing his bit to help AMAZON, WE LOSE Environment news, including our new Below the Canopy report NEW: FIGHT FOR YOUR WORLD 28 THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD FOR THOUGHT 10 Our planet needs us now more We need forests to fght the than ever. It’s time for us all to do climate crisis, but the food we our bit and be part of the change eat is driving shocking global CLIMATE CHANGE” deforestation. Paul Bloomfeld GIVEAWAYS 30 fnds out how we’re helping, Win two tickets to the exclusive thanks to your support London premiere of our new flm featuring Sir David Attenborough BIG PICTURE 18 Sir David Attenborough’s CROSSWORD 31 new documentary refects on Solve our crossword and you humanity’s impact on the planet could win a copy of our Knorr Future 50 Foods Cookbook PLANTING HOPE 20 How you’re helping to sow NOTES FROM THE FIELD 31 wondrous underwater meadows WWF’s intrepid Tessa Francis of seagrass, which are not only helps tag basking sharks of the full of life but help fght climate coast of Scotland in order to change. By Derek Niemann uncover their secrets

MEET THIS ISSUE’S GUEST CONTRIBUTORS TANYA STEELE STEVE DR RICHARD is WWF’s chief BACKSHALL UNSWORTH executive. She is a naturalist is the director visited Brazil to and presenter. of Project see the Cerrado. She says: He hosted a WWF event Seagrass and works for “I was shocked by the scale about the recent IPCC Swansea University. He WORLD ON FIRE of the habitat destruction. report on climate change. says: “Seagrass can store Nature has been replaced He says: “Our local actions carbon 35 times faster Our home is on fre. Every year, precious landscapes like by an ocean of crops as far have global consequences. than a tropical forest. So as the eye can see. We all The poles are suffering our planting programme the Amazon are being burned. But did you know that need to think about where more extreme changes will help tackle the food production is the leading cause of deforestation? our food comes from.” than anywhere else.” climate emergency.” The problem is buried deep in our food supply chain, for example when soy is grown on deforested land to feed animals, such as British-reared chicken or pigs. GET IN TOUCH MEET THE ACTION TEAM This has devastating consequences for more than Editor Liz Palmer [email protected] a billion people, who depend on forests for their wwf.org.uk/contact Editorial executive Holly Towner Loyalty marketing manager livelihoods, and well over half the world’s land-based 01483 426333 Stephen Osborne species of plants and animals which call them home. WWF-UK Living Planet Centre, Senior editor Guy Jowett Forests are crucial allies in the fght against climate Ruford House, Brewery Road, For Immediate Media Co. COVER: change as they absorb carbon from the air and store it Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL Consultant editor Sophie Staford in their trunks, stems, leaves and soils. But if they are Art editor Nicole Mooney © GETTY | CONTENTS: | CONTENTS: © GETTY cleared, or their delicate balance disturbed, that carbon FOLLOW US Account manager Katy Hewett is released back into the air as carbon dioxide and other Design director Will Slater wwf.org.uk/facebook greenhouse gases – worsening the climate crisis. Editorial director Dan Linstead wwf.org.uk/twitter Now more than ever, we need innovative solutions THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS and urgent action to safeguard our forests and ensure wwf.org.uk/pinterest Steve Backshall, Karina Berg, © WWF-BRAZIL they can continue to provide critical ecosystem services wwf.org.uk/news Paul Bloomfeld, Tessa Francis, Barney Jefries, Emma Keller, Derek while meeting the growing demands of humanity. Find wwf.org.uk/youtube Niemann, Ruth Simms, Tanya Steele, out how you can get involved on page 10. wwf.org.uk/instagram Dr Richard Unsworth, Ricardo Zanre

Produced in association with Immediate Media Co. www.imcontent.co.uk 2 | Action Spring 2020 TOGETHER, WE DID IT!

THANK YOU TOGETHER, WE DID IT! “WHAT WE DO IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS WILL PROFOUNDLY IMPACT THE NEXT FEW THOUSAND YEARS… NATURE ONCE TOGETHER, WE DID IT! DETERMINED HOW WE SURVIVE, NOW Thanks to your membership, we can help WE DETERMINE HOW NATURE SURVIVES” protect wildlife and wild places. Here SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, WWF AMBASSADOR are some of the great things supporters 4

like you have helped achieve 3 Sabah’s large forests are perfect for critically endangered orangutans. In a recent survey, we 1 found populations remain ANTARCTICA stable in sustainably YOU HELPED ADVOCATE FOR EMPERORS 5 managed areas With your support, we funded a study that demonstrates

emperor penguins need better protection. An 6 BORNEO © NATUREPL.COM / TIM LAMAN WWF international team of scientists reviewed over 150 © NATUREPL.COM / BRYAN AND CHERRY ALEXANDER / WWF ALEXANDER CHERRY AND / BRYAN © NATUREPL.COM 6 studies on these iconic birds and their environment. 2 The study recommends large-scale marine protected YOU HELPED ORANGUTANS HANG ON With your support, we’ve completed a four-year survey of areas, upgrading the penguins’ IUCN conservation Bornean orangutans across the Malaysian state of Sabah. While status from ‘near threatened’ to ‘vulnerable’, and orangutans are declining elsewhere in Borneo, our research found listing them as a specially protected species under the population in the central forests here has remained stable the Antarctic Treaty. Emperor penguins depend on over the past 15 years. This follows signifcant eforts by the Sabah sea ice to breed, so a warming climate is a big threat state government to protect forests and promote responsible

to their survival. Some studies suggest their numbers © NATUREPL.COM / ANDY ROUSE WWF logging practices. The orangutan population has stabilised in could fall by more than half over the coming century. 8 million large forest areas, but numbers continue to decline in landscapes We need more research to understand how they’ll cope A staggering eight million dominated by palm oil plantations. With your support, we’re with the unprecedented changes in Antarctica. With tonnes of plastic waste leaks working with growers to create wildlife corridors that allow your help, we’ll push for stronger protection of the into our oceans each year, animals to move more freely, helping to reduce crop damage Antarctic and urgent action to tackle the climate crisis. threatening nature and people and ensure people and wildlife can thrive together. If you’d like to do more to help, adopt an orangutan: 1 wwf.org.uk/orangadopt 2 KENYA 3 SCOTLAND © GETTY YOU HELPED CUT RHINO POACHING IN KENYA YOU HELPED 4 NORWAY 5 INDIA Thanks to you, the number of rhinos lost to poachers in Kenya SCOTLAND LEAD ON fell by over 40% from 2017 to 2018. The results were gathered YOU HELPED MAKE A NOISE ABOUT PLASTIC YOU’RE HELPING MONITOR SCHEMES CLIMATE LAWS © GETTY last year. Your support helped in many ways, including Together, we’re getting world leaders to take action against plastic TO REDUCE CONFLICT WITH TIGERS providing rangers with training and Your support persuaded the pollution. So far, 1.5 million WWF supporters around the world No tigers have been killed by farmers in and equipment such as tents, handheld Scottish Parliament to pass have signed a petition calling for governments to introduce a around Corbett tiger reserve in India over the past GPS devices and binoculars. It a new climate change law that puts Scotland at the forefront of legally binding global agreement to stop plastics ending up in the six years. This is what we found when we assessed also helped eforts to identify and global eforts to beat the climate emergency. Thanks to more than ocean. World leaders are starting to listen. Governments in the a scheme being implemented in partnership monitor rhinos through ear notching, two years of campaigning by WWF and others, the country now Nordic countries, the Caribbean and the Pacifc have formally with the Corbett Foundation. Tigers preying microchipping and DNA analysis. This has some of the toughest climate laws in the world, showing the joined a call – led by our on livestock is a real problem. Thanks to your not only allows us to look after rhinos ambition that’s needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The new colleagues in Norway – for generosity, we’ve supported livestock insurance more efectively, but also provides vital law sets a target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 a UN treaty to tackle global schemes and fnancial relief schemes in other evidence if they’re poached. Our dream at the latest – fve years earlier than the UK overall. Crucially, it plastic pollution. And areas, which help local people cope with the loss is to stamp out poaching. demands early action: by 2030, the aim is to cut emissions by 75% politicians have moved to

© CLIFF NIETVELT / GETTY NIETVELT © CLIFF of livestock to big cats. We also help people care for One way we’re doing this compared to 1990 levels. To keep on track, annual targets have introduce new measures their livestock in ways that reduce the risk of tiger is by installing high-tech been set for diferent sectors, and the government must report that will stop rich attacks, such as avoiding grazing in tiger territory thermal-imaging cameras on its progress. Scotland previously set a world frst by including countries dumping their and switching to rearing a smaller number of more plastic waste on poorer

in rhino sanctuaries that detect emissions from international aviation and shipping in its targets. © GETTY productive cattle that are kept safely inside. On the poachers from afar in the dark. It’s also included new measures to cut emissions from agriculture, ones. Together, we’ll keep rare occasions livestock are killed, farmers receive This has led to over 100 arrests so far. and to assess the climate impact of new infrastructure. up the pressure. prompt fnancial support, keeping everyone happy.

Action Autumn 2019 | 5 WWF IN ACTION FOR YOUR WORLD THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING NEWS IN BRIEF BENEATH THE CANOPY How we’ve been fghting for wildlife and our world Forest animals are essential to natural, healthy © RICHARD BARRETT / WWF-UK BARRETT © RICHARD forests. By looking below the canopy, we can identify changes in the forest wildlife community and take action to prevent the loss of large-bodied vertebrates PROTECTING THE LAST ICE AREA In a move that will beneft wildlife and people in the Arctic, Inuit communities and the Canadian government are taking steps to protect an area almost the size of Germany from threats such as oil and gas development. Tuvaijuittuq – meaning ‘the ice never melts’ in the local language – is part of the ‘Last Ice Area’, a region where scientists predict sea ice is likely to persist the longest in a rapidly heating Arctic. We’re working to protect this vital climate refuge for ice-dependent species such as polar bears, walruses and belugas, as well as the The animals that live below the forest canopy are crucial under-ice algae that fuels Arctic food webs. to a healthy, functioning forest. When they are lost, the vital roles they perform are lost NEWS IN NUMBERS with them, with severe implications for forest health, the climate and more than a billion humans who depend on forests for their livelihoods Looking at the forest from above (top), it looks intact with forest cover. Large-bodied vertebrates (below), such as tapirs, lemurs and giant anteaters, are still present £870K LOOKING BELOW THE CANOPY Thank you for supporting our emergency The world’s forests have lost more than in itself, it’s also bad news for the future clear: we need serious action to protect and appeal during last summer’s devastating half their wildlife in the past 50 years, of forests – and for us. Animals play a restore not only our forests, but also the wild Amazon forest fres. So far, more than according to our pioneering new report, crucial role in forest ecosystems, including species that live in them. £870,000 has been raised for our work in Below the Canopy pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. “To reverse the decline in wildlife and Brazil and Bolivia, providing training for Forests are home to well over half of Without wildlife, forests can’t regenerate the health of our forests, we must address volunteer frefghters and helping local all species found on land, so we know and soak up our carbon emissions. the pressures on forest species, including communities to protect their land from fres deforestation is a massive threat. But until “Forests are complex systems that depend deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, climate and land-grabbers. But we still need your now, we haven’t had a clear picture of how on the wildlife that lives in them to stay change, unsustainable hunting, invasive help to protect forests (see page 10). wildlife is doing in our remaining forests. healthy. The rapid decrease in forest wildlife species and disease,” Will adds. “If we don’t With our friends at the Zoological Society in recent decades is an urgent warning sign,” address threats below the canopy we risk the of London and the UN World Conservation says Will Baldwin-Cantello, our global lead on ‘empty forests’ syndrome, where trees stand Our Planet has scooped six top Monitoring Centre, we analysed the data forests. “Not only are forests a treasure trove but much of the wildlife is lost.” awards. The Netfix series made in

© LUIS BARRETO / WWF-COLOMBIA BARRETO © LUIS on populations of mammals, reptiles, of life on Earth, they’re also a vital natural ally The good news is forests can bounce partnership with WWF was crowned amphibians and birds that depend on in the fght against climate breakdown. We back and wildlife populations can recover. top documentary at the Emmys, forests. And the results are worrying. lose them at our peril. We need global leaders Wild mountain gorillas are starting to show where Sir David Attenborough Globally, populations of forest-dwelling to immediately kickstart action to protect and signs of recovery, thanks to your support. won the award for ‘outstanding species have shrunk by 53% on average since restore nature and keep our forests standing.” When we protect forests, we protect all who 6narration’. The project won four awards at 1970. The declines are greatest in tropical Habitat loss and degradation remain depend on them – and the planet too. wildlife media event Jackson Wild. More than 33 million households watched Our Planet in forests like the Amazon, where there’s the the biggest threat to forest wildlife. But the To discover how we’re tackling threats to The forest looks intact from above (top). But with less biodiversity (below), large-bodied most wildlife to lose. research reveals that wildlife is declining even forests, turn to page 10 or watch our video at: vertebrates are lost and seeds of carbon-dense trees stop being dispersed its frst month, making it the most-watched While the loss of wildlife is a tragedy where forest cover is stable. The message is wwf.org.uk/lookingbelowthecanopy Netfix original documentary series ever. 6 | Action SummerSpring 2020 2019 Action Spring 2020 | 7 WWF IN ACTION FOR YOUR WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF CLIMATE ACTION HEATS UP On 20 September, millions of address to the UN, promising ambitious people around the globe took to funding for work on both climate change the streets in the biggest-ever and restoring nature. mobilisation on climate change Sadly, the prime minister’s words aren’t In the UK, more than 375,000 people yet being matched by action at home. took part in over 250 events. Worldwide, The UK government has set a target for four million people joined the global net-zero emissions by 2050 – but it’s © ANDRÉ DIB / WWF BRAZIL / WWF DIB © ANDRÉ climate strike, with around 7.6 million nowhere near on track. In fact, so far it’s This young gorilla was born taking part during the week of action. implemented only one of the 25 policies into the Umubano family. Since Greta Thunberg walked out recommended by the Committee on Amina Mohammed, the deputy secretary-general of school in 2018, millions of young Climate Change. for the UN, named it Ingoga, people have joined her protest against We’re keeping up the pressure on the which means courage world leaders’ failing response to the government to take the action necessary climate emergency. Young people are to prevent climate breakdown – including ‘JAGUAR ISLAND’ CATS COLLARED the generation who will be most afected putting at least 5% of government by the climate crisis, and have a right to spending towards addressing the climate NAMING THE NEXT We hope to reveal the secrets of jaguars demand that their governments start and nature emergencies. living on an uninhabited island of Brazil, acting. This time, they asked adults to join The UK has a real chance to show GENERATION thanks to a new satellite collaring project them in demanding climate justice ahead leadership, as later this year Glasgow Twenty-fve mountain gorillas with the Onça-Pintada Institute and of the UN Climate Summit in New York, will host a major UN climate change born in the past year were Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity where Greta’s speech at the UN General conference. This is where countries are welcomed to the world in Conservation. A recent camera trap survey Assembly made headline news. expected to agree new, binding plans Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming identifed at least 27 individuals on the We were in New York too, rallying world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ceremony in September island. But how the jaguars got there and leaders behind our call for an ‘emergency Scientists agree that we need to limit the The tradition, known locally as whether there’s any connection between declaration for nature and people’ to average global temperature rise to 1.5°C Kwita Izina, has been going for 15 them and populations on the mainland is tackle the climate crisis and nature’s to avoid catastrophic impacts on people years. It celebrates the importance unclear. We’ve collared three cats so far and catastrophic decline. Boris Johnson drew and nature, but current pledges will of mountain gorillas to the country, hope GPS data will reveal more about their heavily on our message in his keynote lead to at least 3°C. and the people who work tirelessly movements to assist eforts to protect them. to protect them.

© JAMES MORGAN / WWF-UK MORGAN © JAMES Celebrities, politicians and Thousands of people from India continues to conservationists are often invited right around the country GROUND ZERO FOR to name the young gorillas. Last have come together to tell world leaders that year they included supermodel the time to act is now CLIMATE CHANGE Naomi Campbell and R&B singer A billion people could be afected by Ne-Yo, as well as WWF director- climate-induced risks to oceans, polar and general Marco Lambertini. He mountain regions by 2050, according to a named a gorilla ‘Ikirenga’, which © SUZIE HUBBARD / WWF-UK recent report from the Intergovernmental means ‘exceptional’ – because, he Panel on Climate Change said, it was exceptionally lucky to More than 100 authors from 36 countries be born in a country committed contributed to the report, which weighs in at over to conserving mountain gorillas 900 pages. They examined around 7,000 scientifc and their forest habitat. publications on how climate change will afect our storm surges and tropical storms will become Working through the oceans and the cryosphere – the frozen parts of more frequent and intense. International Gorilla Conservation the planet like polar regions and high mountains. But, the authors say, we can avoid the worst Programme, we’re helping change PEDALLING FOR PANGOLINS The ocean has absorbed 90% of the extra heat impacts by taking radical action to reduce attitudes to conservation eforts Twelve-year-old Izaak and his dad, Greg, cycled trapped in our atmosphere by greenhouse gases greenhouse gas emissions. “Our polar regions are in Rwanda and neighbouring since the 1970s, and absorbs around 30% of the ground zero for climate change,” says our polar an incredible 710 miles from our HQ in Woking © countries. And the 25 young WWF-SINGAPORE to our global ofce in Switzerland to support CO2, leading to ocean acidifcation. This is already expert, Rod Downie. “Our planet is losing its ice. gorillas named last year join WWF’s work on the illegal wildlife trade. Izaak having an impact on marine wildlife and habitats. And that has dramatic consequences for people a growing population.

decided he wanted to help after hearing that Heatwaves in the sea have doubled this century, living in the Arctic, for polar wildlife, and for “This success is due, in part, / RDB WEGHE VANDE RUBONEKA © GAËL pangolins are the most trafcked mammals putting huge stress on ecosystems such as coral people across the world, including here in the UK.” to gorilla tourism, and ensuring in the world. The gruelling bike ride took two / WWF-UK SIMMONDS © LAUREN 7.6 MILLION PEOPLE TOOK TO THE reefs. A shocking 70%–90% of reefs are expected Stephen Cornelius, our chief adviser on climate local people beneft from their weeks and, despite the heat, the hills and the STREETS IN SEPTEMBER 2019 to die out by 2100, even if we keep global change, adds: “Leaders must act now to ensure presence,” says our regional sore legs, every day Izaak fnished with a smile heating to 1.5°C. a positive future for the planet, invest in rapid manager for Africa, Cath Lawson. on his face. He raised over £10,000 and was TO STRIKE FOR CLIMATE ACTION. The report also warns that sea levels – which and deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and “We’re also working to ensure thrilled to receive a message from Sir David IT WAS THE BIGGEST CLIMATE are already rising 2.5 times faster than during the increase funding for resilience and adaptation.” tourism is sustainable and has Attenborough, who wrote “Congratulations on MOBILISATION IN HISTORY 20th century due to melting glaciers and ice caps Find out how you’re helping us tackle climate minimal impacts on populations.” such a splendid result for your epic bicycle trip!” 7.6M – could rise by a metre by 2100, and that fooding, change at: wwf.org.uk/climate 8 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 9 FORESTS IN CRISIS FOOD FOR THE FUTURE

APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION The world’s forests are critical to the survival of our planet. If we lose Between August 2018 and July 2019, them, we lose the fght against climate change. Yet our food choices are deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon reached 9,762 sq km, or nearly a million driving forests towards a tipping point. Paul Bloomfeld fnds out hectares, afecting precious species such as the jaguar. This is equivalent to © ALAMY how, together, we can keep these irreplaceable landscapes alive an area more than six times the size of Greater London and is a huge increase on the previous year’s fgures 10 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 11 FORESTS IN CRISIS FOOD FOR THE FUTURE FOREST FRONT LINES AMAZON WWF’s Living Forests report identifed 11 areas that are most vulnerable to deforestation between 2010 and 2030, predominantly in equatorial and surrounding regions. We focus on two of the deforestation fronts in Latin America: Amazon and Cerrado. AMAZON The world’s largest remaining tropical forest stores up to 140 billion tonnes of carbon. Over 17% of the Brazilian Amazon was cleared between 1970 and 2018, and a worst-case scenario could see over 25% of the Amazon’s remaining forests (854,000 sq km) lost by 2030. Primary drivers of deforestation are clearance for CERRADO livestock farming, large-scale and small- scale agriculture, road and hydropower infrastructure development, extractives and logging. CERRADO Over half of the Cerrado’s natural vegetation has already been destroyed. In Brazil alone, between 2002 and 2010 almost 100,000 sq km The Chapada dos was cleared, an area almost the size Guimarães National Park is in the of Iceland. Ofcial fgures indicate that Cerrado region of the Brazilian Cerrado lost 6,657 sq km Brazil. This vast KEY of native vegetation between August tropical savannah Forest 2017 and July 2018. Primary drivers of boasts nearly 500 Deforestation fronts and habitat loss are clearances for cattle projected deforestation, waterfalls and is ranching and soy the source of eight 2010–2030 of the country’s 12 plantations. river basins Tanya visited the Cerrado to see frst-hand the impacts of the global demand for soy production that are found nowhere else on Earth. They 2019 showed an equally worrying trend with for pastures and agriculture. But the scale important. They’re crucial for locking up huge choice but to travel to the city to fnd work could be invaluable in ways we don’t yet almost 6,500 sq km lost in a year. and intensity of the fres in 2019 refected amounts of carbon, and their loss contributes and build a new home.” ’ve never seen such a vast expanse understand – for nutrition or even medicine.” Tanya witnessed the problem frst-hand. sharp increases in forest clearance by signifcantly to climate change – deforestation These stories may refect problems on of agriculture before. It was like an “We saw fres on the horizon, and evidence ranchers, land grabbers, illegal miners and forest degradation are the largest sources diferent scales – vast tracts of forest burned ocean of crops as far as the eye could LANDSCAPE FOR LIFE of recent deforestation and burning,” she and farmers. This deforestation is largely of CO2 emissions after the burning of fossil to clear land, contributing to increasing see,” recalls Tanya Steele, our chief It’s not just the Cerrado’s fora that makes the reports. “They are huge fres, which unchecked by the Brazilian government. fuels. Forests also moderate rainfall locally greenhouse gas emissions, versus individual executive. “The skies were empty – region special, though it hosts some 12,070 generate so much smoke, you can see The total area burned in the Amazon from and regionally, and the loss or degradation of families being displaced – but one troubling “Ithere were no birds over the fat, monotonous plant species. It’s also rich in animal life, with them from miles away.” January to November 2019 was 70,647 sq km, forests for food production, mining or other aspect links them: as consumers we are landscape. I was shocked by the scale of it.” 837 types of birds, around 90,000 insects, Fires in Brazil hit international headlines 69% higher than the same period in 2018. industries goes hand-in-hand with reduced unwittingly complicit through our food It might sound like Tanya is recounting a 150 amphibians and nearly one in three of last summer when, in August alone, more Though the Amazon is arguably the most water quality and increased food risk, among choices. What we eat has a huge impact on visit to a farming region in the US wheat belt Brazil’s 700 mammal species (including the than 30,000 individual blazes were detected visible example, it is just one of 11 deforestation other threats to the services nature provides. nature in far-fung places, particularly as or midwest. But the scene of monoculture ocelot, pictured right), perhaps 40% of which in the Amazon, nearly three fronts worldwide identifed by WWF. These global diets change to include more meat, she surveyed during a visit in 2018 was are endemic. It’s the source of water for eight times as many as in the same are places where the largest concentrations THE TRUE PRICE OF CHEAP FOOD dairy and processed foods. The UK food WWF | © 2018 / WWF-UK BEBBER | © DAVID © GETTY in a deforested area of the Cerrado, a vast of the country’s 12 river basins, and stores month the previous year. of forest loss or severe degradation are likely There are more personal impacts, too, as supply alone has been directly linked to the region covering 25% of Brazil’s land area. an estimated 13.7 billion tonnes of carbon. Less widely reported was that to occur. They include areas in the Congo Tanya discovered in the Brazilian Cerrado. extinction of an estimated 33 species at home This habitat is often described as ‘savannah’, In short, this is a habitat Brazil – and the fres in Brazil’s Cerrado and basin and east Africa, south-east Asia, “We met families who had lived on the land and abroad. As Mariene’s mother told Tanya: though it’s far more varied and, historically, world – can ill aford to lose. Pantanal wetlands, as well as New Guinea and eastern Australia. Together, for generations, but who have now lost their “There’s no such thing as cheap food – it has rich with plant life than that suggests. But it’s being cleared to grow the world’s in Bolivia and Paraguay, also these account for over 80% of the forest loss rights to it,” she reports. “As global demand a cost thousands of miles away.” “Some parts of the Cerrado look like bush crops – and at an alarming rate. Some 50% soared in 2019. projected globally by 2030 – up to 1.7 million for soy production has increased, land Large-scale forest clearance in Malaysia or scrubland, so the region’s importance can of the historical area of the Cerrado has gone Manmade blazes are sq km. We’re losing 88,000 sq km of natural grabbing has become a real problem here. and Indonesia has been driven by demand be underestimated,” explains Tanya. “Other already and an astonishing 18,962 sq km was common in the Amazon forest worldwide each year – that’s Mariene Gomes Lopes, her brother and her for palm oil, used in nearly 50% of packaged areas are hugely forested. We call them lost between 2013 and 2015 alone – an area during the dry season an area the size of a football pitch 84-year-old parents were displaced from their products found in UK supermarkets. And in ‘upside-down forests’ because of the depth the size of Greater London every two months. (August–October), as fre is every two seconds. ancestral home in the Cerrado to make way west African countries such as Ivory Coast, of their root systems. There are plants here Recent deforestation fgures released in a tool used to prepare land We know forests are globally for food production. Suddenly, they had no which supplies 30% of the cocoa beans for 12 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 13 FOOD FOR THE FUTURE

ANIMAL FEED BREAD WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE? The UK imports around Palm oil is used in nearly 3.3 million tonnes of soy 50% of packaged products in You might be surprised just how much impact your food choices have on the planet – for animal feed per year, supermarkets, including dried not least because some of the environmental footprint associated with food is hidden. requiring an overseas noodles, chocolate and bread. Understanding the real costs of these ingredients can help inform what you buy land area of 1.68 million Forest clearance for oil palm hectares, nearly 11 plantations is a major driver of times the size of Greater deforestation in Malaysia and London, to grow it. Indonesia. It’s expanding in Colombia, too. However, palm BEEF oil is an incredibly efcient In some regions, such as crop, and can be produced the Amazon, clearance sustainably. for new cattle pasture is one of the main drivers of deforestation. Most intensively farmed beef consumed in the UK is BEEF CONSUMPTION produced domestically Average UK beef consumption THE LOSS or imported from Ireland (three 75g servings per but has a sizeable carbon week) contributes 1,325kg footprint, partly because a to greenhouse gas emissions lot of animal feed contains OF FORESTS annually per person – equivalent imported soy grown on cleared land in regions such as Brazil’s to driving 3,380 miles, or four Cerrado. Pasture-fed beef has a return fights to Málaga. THREATENS… lower carbon footprint.

THEThe Cerrado WORLD’S may not CLIMATE be a household Deforestationname, but this and ecosystem forest is vital to the health of our planet. It’s home to an CHICKEN degradation contribute Chicken has a smaller carbon incredible range of wildlife, as well as BEANS Chicken has a smaller carbon footprint than beef signifcantly to global footprint than beef – 364kg of supporting food and water production Beans, peas and nuts are healthy – 364kg of greenhouse gas emissions per person emissions of carbon dioxide, greenhouse gas emissions per for millions of people, and it plays a and low-carbon sources of annually, based on an average person eating the most prevalent of the greenhouse gases linked person annually, based on an critical role in fghting climate change protein. A daily 150g serving of fve 75g servings a week. But chickens are often to climate change. Over 40% of the carbon stored From toucans to poison dart frogs average person eating fve 75g beans contributes just 36kg of given feed that contains imported soy grown on in the world’s forests is found in three places: the (below), the remarkable wildlife servings a week. But chickens are Amazon, the Congo and south-east Asia. greenhouse gas emissions each cleared land in regions such as Brazil’s Cerrado. of the Amazon, and Brazil’s other year, almost 80 times less than CARBON FOOTPRINT often given feed that contains biodiversity hotspots including imported soy, grown on cleared land eating beef every day. By following WWF’s Livewell diet, UK adults could the Cerrado, is threatened by in regions such as Brazil’s Cerrado. reduce their carbon footprint by 30% by 2030 deforestation and habitat loss LOCAL LIVELIHOODS compared to 1990 levels. wwf.org.uk/livewell Forests provide food, shelter, fuel and income for about a billion people around the world. Forest products on the world’s chocolate market, tropical forests So we’re looking at how we can work with Working with local farmers is just one to fnd ways to reduce the UK’s environmental which local people depend are threatened by deforestation – for example, baru are typically cleared to plant new cocoa trees “THERE IS NO those agricultural producers – many of whom part of the puzzle; we need to ensure it’s footprint from international food imports nuts, babassu coconuts and pequi fruit and nuts rather than reusing the same land. It’s been want to change – to take better care of the viable for them to improve their farming – especially by avoiding deforestation (and are used by communities including indigenous estimated that 70% of the country’s illegal land that’s already cleared.” practices. “Many farmers feel a huge pride other environmental degradation overseas). and quilombola settlements (founded by escaped Afro-Brazilian slaves) in the Brazilian deforestation is related to cocoa farming. CHEAP FOOD – IT In practical terms, that means changing in and connection to their land. They’re We’ll be following its progress and calling on Cerrado. See how you’re helping on page 16. In Latin America, one of the biggest the way soy is farmed: being more mindful already looking at ways to manage their the UK government to adopt legislation that problems linked to a global increase in ALL HAS A COST about the use of the land, leaving bufer zones crops in a more sustainable way,” observes results from this initiative. meat and dairy consumption is clearance in place for wildlife corridors between some Tanya. “One of the things we’ve been asking We’re also asking businesses to do their BIODIVERSITY of natural habitats for cattle pasture in areas of the large-scale agricultural areas, and retailers, big businesses and agricultural fair share to make our supermarket shelves Forests are home to well over THOUSANDS OF half of the world’s land-based such as the Amazon. And, in the Cerrado not farming right up to the edges of rivers, suppliers is to create a level playing feld deforestation-free. In 2017, an alliance of species. Recognised as a particularly, there’s a further issue – soya to provide space for wildlife and reduce – a fair system so farmers can do the very more than 60 NGOs in Brazil, including global biodiversity hotspot, Brazil’s Cerrado has an bean agriculture. The UK consumes some MILES AWAY” chemical run-of that could enter rivers best for their own land and investment.” WWF, released a Cerrado Manifesto calling abundance of species, many of which 3.3 million tonnes of soy each year, over and poison fsh. Importantly, the choices we make in the for companies purchasing meat and soy from are found nowhere else on Earth. They 75% of it ‘hidden’ in the animal products The tragedy, but also the opportunity, is UK have an impact right along the supply this region, as well as investors, to take action. include 12,070 native plant, 252 mammal, and over 800 fsh and bird species. we eat, such as meat, dairy and eggs. Right that it doesn’t have to be this way. “The real TACKLING OUR FOOTPRINT chain. So we’re pushing the UK government To date, over 140 companies – including now, we have no way of knowing where the crime is that there’s no need for even one We’re also working with local cooperatives to develop policy frameworks to ban the sale UK retailers Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, M&S, deforestation is found. It’s buried deep in our more tree to be chopped down. Existing harvesting non-timber products such as of any food that causes deforestation. In 2019, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, as well WATER food supply chain. For example, soy can be cleared land can still be farmed productively,” pequi, baru nut, cashew and partly in response to a WWF report, the UK as numerous manufacturers – have signed Deforestation afects grown on deforested land abroad and then says Tanya, referring to soy farming in babassu coconut, helping government launched the Global Resource a statement of support, confrming that water cycles and quality. Trees absorb groundwater fed to British-grown chickens and pigs. Soy the Cerrado. “We already have more than them to make a living and Initiative taskforce. Its objective is they’re committed ‘to halting forest loss and release it into the can be grown sustainably, but 77% of UK enough land to feed the world’s growing encouraging conservation of to identify actions to drive more associated with agricultural commodity atmosphere in a process soy imports currently come from Brazil, population and we don’t need to destroy any those trees. There’s no time to resilient and sustainable food production, and to working with industry, called transpiration; deforestation impacts the climate locally and Argentina and Paraguay – countries where more precious habitats. But the nature of the lose: if the destruction of Cerrado systems that avoid deforestation producers, governments and civil society further afeld, making it drier, and also afects there’s a high risk of deforestation, weak incentives for some farmers, and the way habitat continues at recent and environmental to protect globally important natural the water table. The removal of trees close to governance and poor labour standards. And in which they’re managing stewardship of rates, 150,000 sq km could degradation overseas, landscapes within a framework of good waterways leads to more soil eroding into rivers,

increasing sedimentation. Along with pollution our food supply chain rarely distinguishes that land, means that it’s cheaper for them to be lost by 2030, and some while supporting jobs governance and land planning policy’. © GETTY from agriculture or mining, this causes changes between sustainable soy and that which deforest the next stretch of trees than to look 480 of its plant and animal and livelihoods. In There are other ways we can help reduce in water quality and fows. drives deforestation. after the soil and the land they already have. species could become extinct by 2050. other words, it’s aiming our impact, too. “Think about where your 14 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 15 FORESTS IN CRISIS FOOD FOR THE FUTURE

With your support, we’re helping family farmers to harvest and market sustainable Cerrado fruits, such as pequi “WE’RE ASKING BUSINESSES TO MAKE OUR SUPERMARKET SHELVES DEFORESTATION-FREE”

SAFEGUARDING THE CERRADO There’s never been a more critical time to fght for globally important HOW YOU’RE HELPING habitats such as the Cerrado. With your support, we’re working to protect PEQUI PRODUCERS remaining forests, and to halt all deforestation and conversion of the Pequi might be the most important Cerrado for sourcing and producing fruit you’ve never heard of – for soy. If you’d like to do more, here’s communities in the Cerrado, at least. how your extra gift could help: Eva Aparecida Santos returned The yellowy fesh of the Caryocar Mass soya bean to the region thanks to brasiliense fruit has a sweet-but- harvesting at £10 could help provide soy farmers a cooperative project cheesy favour that’s popular in Brazil, a farm in Brazil with technical support to improve served with chicken or rice. The skin of products with fruits or nuts can their soil fertility and yields the fruit is edible but the stone inside is be passed on,” says Karina Berg, our surrounded by sharp spines. It contains regional manager for Latin America. food comes from, and how it’s been produced. can beneft communities and wildlife when it’s collaborate with governments, local £20 could help buy seeds to restore a seed that can be dried and roasted, “But fnding markets large enough to Ask your local supermarket, butcher or grocer sourced sustainably. communities and indigenous groups in six hectares of native vegetation or cold-pressed for oil. provide a living, and enable people to about the source of the food you’re buying,” It’s not always easy to know the provenance other key countries such as Colombia, Peru £50 could provide training for local For centuries, the pequi has been stay in rural communities, is a challenge. says Tanya. “It’s not about turning your life of our food, but there are tools to help. Look and Bolivia to combat deforestation in Latin communities on how to market their harvested in the Cerrado. With its high So we’re helping to increase marketing upside down. But there’s no doubt we have for RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm America and elsewhere. And by considering sustainably produced products yield, it has the potential to provide a expertise within cooperatives.” to change our diet and our food choices for Oil) certifcation on products, or check what you eat, and making choices based on good income, but today those making Partly due to successful cooperative the future – to ensure the environment is in the WWF Palm Oil Scorecard to see how the efects of those products, you can have £100 could help fund a survey to their livelihoods from its products face projects, some people who left rural good health for our children. By making some retailers, restaurant chains and food a huge positive impact on nature. identify areas of the Cerrado that are © ANDRE DIB / WWF-BRAZIL | © NITRO IMAGENS | © ALFFOTO IMAGENS | © NITRO / WWF-BRAZIL DIB © ANDRE two major challenges. The frst is the loss communities to fnd work in cities such changes to our diets we can be a bit healthier, manufacturers are performing in terms We’re realistic about what’s required, in the most urgent need of protection of pequi trees as land is cleared for cattle as São Paulo are now returning to the too. It’s a positive thing for us all.” of sustainable sourcing. And the nifty Giki but also optimistic about what can be ranching or soy production. The second region. People such as Eva Aparecida app allows you to scan the barcodes of achieved. “We need to feed a growing Donate today: is how to sell enough to get by. Santos, a mother of three in Onça, in PEOPLE POWER some 280,000 popular products to obtain population, and we have to do that as wwf.org.uk/save-cerrado Addressing the second issue the eastern Cerrado. Eva got involved What does this mean on a day-to-day level? information about their environmental efectively and efciently as possible,” can help tackle the frst, so with Cooperuaçu. “This local cooperative Well, it’s true that meat – particularly beef and ethical credentials. afrms Tanya. “This is a story not only about our colleagues in Brazil are provides income for several families, and lamb, and to a lesser extent pork, fsh We know we must act quickly to halt deforestation or damaging one of the most FIGHT FOR FORESTS working with cooperatives supports the sustainable harvesting of and chicken – has a large environmental deforestation. There are enormous challenges important biodiverse places on this planet. You can also join our campaign to in the Cerrado to help them natural products, and works to conserve footprint, so eating less meat is helpful. But – local and global, economic and political, But it’s also about our food choices and food demand that the UK government improve the way they market the habitat,” says Eva. “The Cerrado reducing our impact is about eating better, particularly in places such as Brazil, where system, and how many of the products we commits to a deadline for ending their products, reducing the faces a lot of challenges, that’s why we rather than just less. For example, beef cattle the current administration has demonstrated eat have an impact thousands of miles away. the sale of all goods that have need to clear more land. “The need programmes like Cooperuaçu. raised on deforested land is responsible for a lack of will to tackle climate change, Finally, it’s about changing the balance of caused deforestation. Visit: traditional skills needed to make The Cerrado is our greatest asset.” 12 times more greenhouse gas emissions than deforestation and loss of biodiversity. nature and efectively addressing climate wwf.org.uk/deforestation-free cows reared on natural pastures. And palm oil But with your help, we can continue to change for future generations.” 16 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 17 THE BIG PICTURE

THROUGH ATTENBOROUGH’S EYES This April, see a remarkable new flm which tells the story of life on our planet – from a man who has seen more of the natural world than anyone else. When our ambassador Sir David Attenborough began his broadcasting career in the 1950s, it was a very diferent world. The global population was a third of its current size, and numerous natural wonders had not yet been discovered, let alone flmed. “Everywhere you turned, you saw something new,” he remembers fondly. Since then, his unique insights have delighted and inspired global audiences of all ages. In the groundbreaking Our Planet documentary series – our collaboration with Netfix – Sir David told the story of how humans have had a profound impact on the planet’s most precious species and fragile habitats – and how we’re now facing a crucial turning point in our history. In this new flm, David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, Sir David refects on the devastating impacts of nature loss he’s witnessed – and the biggest challenges facing life on our planet. The flm ofers a powerful message of hope for future generations – that we can turn things around before it’s too late. The flm premieres at the Royal Albert Hall on 16 April where Sir David will be joined on stage by some very special guests

for a discussion on issues raised in the flm. This exciting event © CONOR MCDONNELL will also be screened live in cinemas – you can buy tickets at: www.attenborough.flm To celebrate the flm’s release, we’re giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets to the premiere – more details on page 30.

18 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 19 RESTORING SEAGRASS HEALTHY OCEANS

SEEDS OF HOPE One incredible plant species could boost biodiversity, help human livelihoods and play a role in fghting the climate emergency. That’s why we’re launching the biggest project of its kind in the UK – to restore seagrass © NATUREPL.COM / ALEX MUSTARD / 2020VISION / WWF / 2020VISION MUSTARD / ALEX © NATUREPL.COM

Many seahorse species – such as this spiny seahorse – live in seagrass meadows around the world. The ‘little horses of the sea’ rely on their camoufage to hide among the blades from predators

20 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 21 RESTORING SEAGRASS XXX

STEP 1: HEADING OUT TO THE MEADOW STEP 2: THE SEED SNORKELLERS Our seed-collecting teams of volunteers go out at high tide to one of our The frst people to jump out of the boat are the snorkelling volunteers. target seagrass meadows in north Wales, Cornwall, Dorset, the Channel They gather seed-bearing stems from water that may only be a metre Islands or the Isle of Man. Our goal – to gather one million seeds! The boat deep. It’s easier to collect the stems while they’re under water. is flled with both snorkellers and scuba divers.

HOW Seagrasses form dense meadows WE GATHER under the sea. Like rainforests, these underwater gardens are full of life and help us fght climate change. But they’re SEAGRASS threatened. Globally, it’s estimated an area of seagrass about the same size as two football pitches is lost every hour. SEEDS Restoring this special habitat is vital

n a winter’s day, a small boat pushes swollen into rhizomes, are true climate-savers, There are also the small fry of species that of a Pembrokeshire beach, bound on allowing seagrass to absorb carbon at 35 times may one day be caught by humans – among an epic journey. Though the people on the rate of rainforests. The plants lock up about them cod, pollock and plaice. Most of these STEP 3: AT THE DEEP END STEP 4: IT’S IN THE BAG board will travel almost no distance a tenth of the ocean’s carbon under the sea. No were borne as larvae by tidal currents into Scuba divers plunge of the side of the boat to sink into deeper water further All of the picked stems are immediately dropped into black mesh nets and out. There’s still enough sunlight for the seagrass to grow down to about fve the nets are brought ashore. A seagrass bed produces trillions of seeds. Not at all – never going beyond sight of wonder seagrass is praised as ‘blue carbon’. the meadows. A happy accident, for here their metres in depth, and sufcient light (just!) for the divers to see what they’re only are there plenty to choose from, but also collection has no harmful Othe shore – their mini-expedition is set to This underwater rainforest is home to chances of fnding food on a daily basis are doing. The blades snap of easily in their hands. impact on the existing meadows. New blades will regrow next season. have a massive impact. amazing wildlife in astonishing abundance. much higher, their chances of being eaten Within the next few weeks, that frst boat Shoals of tiny shrimp-like crustaceans graze are reduced, and their chances of putting launch marks a critical stage in a unique the algae that coats the leaves. Crabs patrol on weight in their crucial frst year are much partnership between WWF, Sky Ocean improved. Our commercial fsheries rely on Rescue and Swansea University. Our aim seagrass meadows to sustain populations is to grow meadows on the seabed. “THIS UNDERWATER destined for the open ocean. Most of us – if we think about it at all – might imagine that what we see of the fat, RAINFOREST IS SEAGRASS NEEDS SAVING

© LEWIS JEFFERIES / WWF-UK |© GREG ARMFIELD / WWF-UK ARMFIELD |© GREG / WWF-UK JEFFERIES © LEWIS muddy bottom of an estuary or tidal bay These meadows keep on giving. They continues in a shallow, featureless drop absorb energy from the waves and trap under the waves and out into the deep blue. HOME TO AMAZING sediment, reducing erosion; they soak up But there are brilliant green exceptions, polluting minerals. But we have shown where the bare sea foor is suddenly thick WILDLIFE” them little generosity in return. It’s thought with thigh-high, grass-like leaves. that something like nine tenths of Britain’s This is seagrass, the world’s only fowering the fronds as anemones and stalked jellyfsh seagrass meadows have been destroyed, plant that is able both to live in seawater and flter the water for particles of food. Octopus though we can’t be certain of that fgure, pollinate itself. The harsh currents of our seas and cuttlefsh shoot past, while marine since mapping underwater habitats up to mean that meadows of seagrass (also called worms and bivalve molluscs create mini- fve metres deep is hard, even with today’s eelgrass) are confned to sheltered estuaries, eruptions, burrowing into the sand. technology. STEP 5: LANDING THE CATCH STEP 6: PREPARATION IN THE LAB bays and lagoons, where the plants put down Fish weave through the waving stems: According to global seagrass expert Dr The boat has brought the harvest in to shore. The seeds are all of the It wouldn’t be practical to separate the seeds on shore, so they same species – common eelgrass (Zostera marina). The seeds on each are sent to a laboratory where they are removed from the blades. their roots in soft sediment. Scientists have wrasse, pipefsh, gobies and – in a handful Richard Unsworth of Swansea University: stem look like runner beans in a pod. In the open sea, an air bubble from The seeds are then mixed with sand and put in hessian bags ready only recently discovered that those roots, of southern meadows – even seahorses. “The timescales of loss are beyond living photosynthesis would burst the membrane, releasing the seeds. for planting out on ropes over a Pembrokeshire seabed. 22 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 23 RESTORING SEAGRASS HEALTHY OCEANS

The sheltered conditions of a seagrass meadow are perfect The charismatic sea hare nursery grounds for young looks like a sea slug, but has FIVE SEAGRASS fatfsh and other commercially an internal shell. It favours important species shallow water and feeds on STARS seaweed, which is thought to give each individual its colour SPINY SEAHORSE This fsh with a feshy ‘mane’ down its back drifts through the meadow sucking up shrimps and plankton. At the slightest current, it clings to a stem with its prehensile tail.

COD When cod larvae are washed into a seagrass meadow, they may be only two centimetres “IN FIVE YEARS OR SO, OUR SEAGRASS long. In just a year they reach eight or nine times that length, feeding on tiny crustaceans. MEADOW WILL BECOME A HAVEN FOR

A STAGGERING AMOUNT OF WILDLIFE” / WWF / 2020VISION MUSTARD / ALEX | © NATUREPL.COM | © GETTY NAYLOR | © PAUL | © ALAMY / WWF / 2020VISION MUSTARD © ALEX

completely wiped out seagrass from many big population of green shore crabs that will fshermen. If we’re going to restore seagrass coastal bays and inlets generations ago, the feast on anything and everything they come around the country, then it’s essential that coal industry is no more. Seagrass would across. Chucking a load of seeds out would be everyone understands the benefts and local CUTTLEFISH probably never spread from other distant like feeding the crabs. In UK waters we also people have the opportunity to be involved.” A bunch of ‘black grapes’ attached to seagrass are actually the eggs of a cuttlefsh. These areas naturally, but we believe it’s possible have very strong tidal currents. Those seeds As Ricardo says: “It’s providing a nature- relatives of squid and octopuses come into to replant it in today’s cleaner waters using could be out in the middle of the Irish Sea based solution to some of the toughest the shallows in the spring to lay, then die. seeds from parts of Britain where meadows within a few minutes.” problems we’re facing – the climate are thriving. A similar approach has been Instead, our ingenious scientists are emergency and the biodiversity crisis in used in North America’s Chesapeake Bay to practising a rope trick with growbags. Over our oceans. It’s critical for a whole range restore hundreds of hectares of meadows. the seabed, they will lay out little hessian of reasons and it really can help with some In the lab, the seeds are separated sacks flled with sand and seeds, tied to ropes of the big issues.” From tiny seeds great from the blades. Later, they will be SEAGRASS PILOT STUDY SUCCESS at metre intervals. Anchored on the bottom meadows may grow, and with them our mixed with sand and placed in a hessian bag to be sown on the seabed Last year, we started working with Richard and sealed against predators, the seeds will hopes of a greener, cleaner future. and his team on the frst exploratory steps germinate and shoot through the hessian. in the UK. “We did small-scale trials with It could take fve years or more for this memory. Old maps of the coastline show places such as the Orwell and Stour estuaries diferent methods in one Pembrokeshire modest meadow to mature and become See the stunning wildlife of seagrass how much has changed – a port here, in Sufolk where there were hundreds of bay and they were all very successful,” he a haven for a staggering amount of wildlife meadows and watch the Seagrass SNAKELOCKS ANEMONE Ocean Rescue team at work at: One of a whole host of species that holds fast a sea wall there, reclamation over there. hectares of seagrass in the 1970s – there are explains. “That told us the nutrient levels and – an estimated 160,000 fsh and 200 million wwf.org.uk/seagrass to seagrass stems, this anemone has a nasty And the Industrial Revolution created an only a couple of square metres there now.” other environmental conditions were suitable invertebrates in this patch alone. Small shock on the tips of its waving tentacles – a Find out more: skyoceanrescue.com sting that paralyses its prey. environmental footprint that fundamentally Coastal development, and boats with to support seagrass there.” beginnings, big results. And the team changed so much. Our ports were exporting propellers and mooring chains raking the We decided to create a two-hectare already has its eyes on other target areas copper, zinc and other heavy metals, and seabed, are major concerns but pollution in meadow (about the size of two football around our coasts. areas like south Wales had some of the its various forms remains the biggest threat pitches) from scratch. Nothing at this scale Patience and cooperation are world’s biggest coalmines, generating an to seagrass. Overwhelming quantities of toxic has ever before been attempted in UK essential to expanding the project, as enormous amount of trafc and pollution. chemicals stunt its growth; cloudy, nutrient- waters. And comparisons with Chesapeake Ricardo Zanre, our marine programme WIGEON “We’ve seen the cumulative impact of rich water blocks the light and allows less Bay can only go so far, as Richard explains: manager, emphasises: “We’re When the tide goes out, ducks, geese and industrial development, poor water quality, sensitive algae to bloom in its place. “In the US, they were able to cast their seed doing it in a way that works with swans graze on exposed seagrass leaves. It’s an especially important source of food and changes in farming practices, such as the Yet there is still potential for recovery. upon the water from a boat. That couldn’t local stakeholders – everyone in winter for wigeon and brent geese. run-of of agricultural chemicals. There are In south Wales, where industrial pollution happen in Britain. For one thing, we have a from schools to boaters and 24 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 25 INTERVIEW

“Places I travelled to for the frst time in the early 1990s are now unrecognisable,” says Steve, who has travelled pole to pole and seen a surprising amount of polar LIFE IN THE species BAFTA-winning British naturalist Steve Backshall talks about his experience of climate change, taking action and why he has hope for the future

EXTREME What do you love most about nature course of a few decades. And I’ve observed polar and why is it everyone’s responsibility bears being forced of diminishing sea ice on to to protect it? land, where they increasingly come into contact I have been besotted with nature my whole life. It’s with humans. been my joy, my entertainment, even my salvation. Nature should be at the core of everything we do: Describe your most thrilling wild encounter what could be more important than the land we Diving beneath a jade green Antarctic iceberg with live on, the air we breathe and the water we drink? a female leopard seal fashing her teeth into my camera is impossible to beat. You have travelled the globe. What human impacts on nature have you seen? What changes have you made in your life? Almost every place I’ve visited has been My personal plan is to do the best I can in all areas compromised by humans. Even the most remote of my life, including only fying when essential seas sufer from vast amounts of marine plastic, for the job. My TV programmes ofset all their and forests far from civilisation are polluted by emissions, I ofset all my fights like crazy through our toxins and under threat from chainsaws and forest-purchase plans I really believe work, and I’ve plantations. That said, there are still huge areas raised over half a million pounds to buy rainforests. of perfect habitat that are worth saving. It’s not enough, but I’m always battling to do better.

You journeyed pole to pole for a TV series. Why did you support the Global Strike for What makes the polar regions so special? Climate? And what do you think it achieved? There is nowhere else on Earth where we as I’ve been given great heart, not just by this strike, humans feel so tiny, so irrelevant, so utterly at but all the great eforts of the past year. Even the mercy of the environment. The conditions more so by the ones driven by young people. can change from blue skies and searing sunshine For too long, young people have been portrayed to brutal winds and driving snow in the blink of by the media as feckless, lazy, selfsh millennials. an eye. And though we think of them as barren Suddenly the sleeping tiger has awoken. The press places, a surprising amount of polar-adapted life may ridicule and patronise the young activists at depends on these wild lands. the heart of this great movement – but that just means it’s working. Why are the poles and glaciers so essential for the future of our planet? How optimistic are you about the future? The albedo efect of the poles, as giant white mirrors I believe this period in history will be looked back on that refect the sun’s radiation back into space and compared with the great civil rights movements [which helps reduce global warming], is impossible of the past. People have taken to the streets for so to overstate. Also the fact that the majority of the many reasons to make our societies more fair and world’s fresh water is found there, bound up in equal. Now they’re doing it for our planet home. ice. Small changes to these polar regions can have My sincere hope is that the conclusion will be swift, cataclysmic efects for the planet as a whole. and our fate salvageable. © SCOTT ALEXANDER © SCOTT

What signs of climate change have you You can read more about how climate change personally witnessed at the poles? will afect our oceans and the polar regions in I’ve seen glaciers disappear completely. I’ve watched a recent report from the Intergovernmental sea ice formation and collapse totally change in the Panel on Climate Change, on page 9. 26 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 27 TOGETHER, WE DID IT!

THANK YOU FIGHT FOR YOUR WORLD

2 BUILD A MOVEMENT FIGHT FOR Help us build a movement of people by getting your friends 185 and family involved in these planet-inspired events COUNTRIES TOOK EARTH HOUR 2020 – 8.30–9.30PM, SATURDAY 28 MARCH PART IN EARTH Earth Hour is the moment millions come together for nature, people and the planet. Iconic landmarks, homes, businesses and HOUR IN 2019 YOUR WORLD political leaders across the world switch of their lights for an hour in a symbolic show of solidarity with the planet. Last year, millions of people around the world and landmarks 3 DEMAND ACTION 2020 will be a turning point for our planet. As global leaders make critical from Sydney Opera House to Edinburgh Castle took part to send a clear message: we’re fghting for our world. Bring your passion into work decisions, we’re pushing for strong commitments to protect our world. By coming together for Earth Hour, we’ve already helped to infuence climate policy in Russia, ban plastic in the Galapagos 900 OUR PLANET: OUR BUSINESS But we can’t do it alone. Be part of the change #FightForYourWorld Islands and inspire the world’s frst Earth Hour protected forest SCHOOLS TOOK To help you get your workplace involved in Uganda. This year, we’re uniting to send a clear message to our in tackling the world’s environmental crisis, world leaders: we need nature… now. Our future depends on it. PART IN WEAR we’ve produced a 40-minute online flm To get involved, visit: wwf.org.uk/earthhour inspired by the Our Planet series on Netfix. IT WILD IN 2019 It will help you start conversations with staf and stakeholders about the urgency of one WEAR IT WILD – FRIDAY 5 JUNE of the most important challenges of our time 1 GIVE FOR YOUR WORLD In workplaces, schools and homes across the country, – and the risks and opportunities it presents people will be donning wildlife-inspired to businesses. Our successes are only possible thanks to clothing on Friday 5 June for Wear The flm blends clips from the original the generosity of members like you it Wild – raising money to help series with expert opinion from business protect our incredible world. Sign leaders, scientists and economists. It explores LEAVE A LEGACY TO WWF up with your friends and show us the immense value of nature to our economy, We couldn’t do what we do without the support of people your wild side. Brave it. Rock it. Nail the scale of the challenges we’re facing and the who leave us a legacy. Gifts in wills make up about a ffth it. Boss it. Strut it. We want to see you critical role businesses can play in creating of all our donated income, and have helped us achieve really work it. Because if we’re going large-scale solutions. some incredible wins for people and nature. WWF is a to save our world, we need to be fercer, The flm urges businesses to act to member of the National Free Wills Network, a scheme braver and louder than we’ve ever been. preserve what we have left, and to help whereby charity supporters can have a simple will written So, from the playground to the ofce, no governments enact policies that protect free of charge by a local solicitor. It’s so much easier than matter how you Wear it Wild, get ferce for the planet for future generations. Contact you might have thought. After becoming a father, Lang your world. To register for your free [email protected] to organise a Banks, director of WWF Scotland, decided to give it a try. Wear it Wild fundraising pack, visit: screening at your workplace and watch it “The service provided by the Free Wills Network made “THERE’S NEVER BEEN A wwf.org.uk/wearitwild here: ourplanet.com/business

writing a will very straightforward,” he explains. “The / WWF-UK RATCLIFFE | © CHRIS AKRITIDIS | © ARIS / WWF IMAGES WARMING | © GLOBAL © GETTY pack provided details of participating solicitors in MORE IMPORTANT TIME TO my area, I arranged an appointment and it only took an hour of my time. BACK WWF IN YOUR WILL” The advice was free, the paperwork was handled by the solicitor, and we then got to approve a draft. It was Lang Banks, director of all sorted very quickly. I just wish WWF Scotland, with his son 4 BE THE CHANGE I’d done it sooner!” Though gifts in wills are “We can all see the climate and nature crises unfolding in front Make a pledge to reduce your own impact a vital source of funding of our eyes. So there’s never been a more important time to for our conservation work, back organisations such as WWF who can infuence the CONSIDER WHAT YOU EAT we buy. Look for labels such as MSC and causing the destruction of our forests. there is no obligation to ambitious actions needed to solve the problems. Having The main cause of global deforestation is ASC (seafood), and RSPO (palm oil). We’re calling on the UK government to remember WWF or any the support of tens of thousands of people behind the agriculture. And the food we buy in the UK However, while looking at labels is a great make a change. charity. But Lang wanted to charity gives me hope.” So what advice does Lang have? is part of the system driving this devastation. start, it’s far from a perfect system. There’s Join our campaign to demand that the leave a legacy to recognise “Make a will today. Don’t wait. You can trust WWF So how can we reduce the environmental currently no way for consumers to know UK government commits to a deadline the amazing work WWF does. to use your legacy in the best way at the best time.” impact of the food we buy? whether certain foods might be causing for ending the sale of all goods that have “Every penny is important and To discuss leaving a gift to WWF in your will, A simple action we can all take is to be more deforestation. We don’t think it’s right that caused deforestation: WWF makes the best possible please contact Maria Dyson, legacy supporter aware of what’s on the packaging of the food anyone has the option to buy food that’s wwf.org.uk/deforestation-free use of that money,” he explains. manager at [email protected] 28 | Action AutumnSpring 2020 2019 ActionAction Autumn Spring 2020 2019 | 29 COMPETITIONS NOTES FROM THE FIELD SEE SIR DAVID’S PREMIERE CROSSWORD Solve our crossword and you could win Win a pair of tickets to the exclusive a copy of the Future 50 Foods Cookbook, premiere of our amazing new flm written by Knorr and WWF, featuring featuring Sir David Attenborough healthy recipes for people and the planet We’re thrilled to be able to invite one lucky Action reader to the world premiere of the remarkable new flm: David Attenborough – A Life on Our Planet. The premiere event will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 16 April (and Basking shark ahoy! be screened live in cinemas), featuring a live discussion The team spots the with Sir David and very special guests. Produced by WWF two dorsal fns of a passing shark and and Silverback Films, this flm is Attenborough’s witness gets ready to tag it

© CONOR MCDONNELL © CONOR statement for the natural world and ofers a powerful WIN! message of hope for future generations. It will be released on Netfix in spring 2020. To win a pair of tickets for an TICKETS TO OUR evening you’ll never forget, follow the instructions (below) THE SECRET LIVES OF SHARKS and mark your entry ‘Attenborough Competition’. “The shark is under our boat!” These are not EXCLUSIVE FILM words from a flm, and they may not be words PREMIERE you wish to hear on your average voyage. But this was not a normal day out on the ocean. The shark in question was a basking shark, the biggest fsh in our waters, and I was here – near the islands of Coll and Tiree in the Inner LYDIA FRENCH COLLECTION Hebrides – on a mission to uncover its secrets. The Inner Hebrides is one of only a few places where, every We’re giving two lucky members the chance to win an item of their summer, large numbers of basking sharks gather to feed on choice from our new ‘I’m a keeper’ range. This collection of homeware, plankton near the surface. Experts believe the sharks may even clothing and gifts is all thanks to an exciting collaboration with Surrey- breed here, which makes it one of the most important places in the based graphic artist Lydia French, founder of @thebrightertimes. WWF Action crossword 44: Spring 2020 issue. Compiled by Aleric Linden world for the species. So it’s vital we learn more about these sharks. Last summer, I was part of a WWF team working in partnership The beautiful ‘I’m a keeper’ range includes cushions, posters and After solving the crossword, take each letter from the shaded squares with Sky Ocean Rescue, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, mugs as well as organic tote bags and T-shirts. Each item comes in (going from left to right and top to bottom) to spell out the prize word. Scottish Natural Heritage and the University of Exeter to fnd and six designs depicting iconic wildlife from elephants to jaguars and To be in with a chance to win, just send a postcard with the prize word tag basking sharks. To do this, we were deploying groundbreaking pufns. To be in with a chance of winning, follow the instructions to the address on page 30, or email it to [email protected]. new technology – an underwater robot camera called SharkCam. (right) and mark your entry ‘Lydia French Competition’. The closing date is Friday 27 March Clues across 3 Behind bars, like many animals HIGH SEA ADVENTURE 1 Cultivating part of the food kept in captivity (5) Our expedition started early. Two boats left Tobermory Harbour at industry – a major cause of 4 Amur _ , critically endangered 4am, destined for a basking shark hotspot. After hours of travelling creatures (8) deforestation (11) and searching, a broad dorsal fn scythed through the choppy 7 The (often illegal) gathering of 5 A series of mountains (5) water, followed closely by the smaller hump of a tail fn. HOW TO ENTER timber – a big contributor to 6 African or Asian victim of the A PASSION FOR THE GREAT ICE BEAR forest degradation (7) ivory trade (8) The team on the tagging boat moved in to fx a tag securely to ACTION GIVEAWAYS 8 _ layer, alarmingly depleted 11 Natural _ , an earthquake, the shark. It would act like a beacon, enabling SharkCam to follow for example (8) We’ve got three copies of Polar Bears: A Life Under Threat to give away Send an email with your name, by man-made chemicals (5) the fsh and flm its behaviour. Placing a tag on a moving target 12 Generally fat regions, not on a high address and phone number, 9 Snowdonia in Wales is a national is tricky, and the team were only allowed three attempts to avoid one (4) (8) A symbol of strength and survival against the along with Attenborough, 10 Moved forward like non-retreating 15 These wading birds can be golden causing stress to the shark. Eventually we heard them cheer! odds, today the polar bear is also an icon of the / WWF-UK SIMMONDS | © LAUREN / WWF-UK CONSTABLE © NINA Lydia French or Polar Bear glaciers (8) or ringed (7) Now the boat I was on sprung into action. We winched the robot climate crisis. Now Polar Bears: A Life Under Competition in the subject line, 13 The world’s largest tropical forest 17 The Sumatran and Javan are into the water and it sped of after the shark. The chase was on! Threat reveals the animal behind the myths. The critically endangered species to [email protected] (6) With SharkCam relaying real-time information back to the boat, culmination of 25 years spent visiting the poles, 14 Sponsors an animal (6) of which huge animal? (5) 18 Continental _ , shallow-water we could follow where the shark went and how deep it swam. The Michel Rawicki transports us to the ever-changing Alternatively, post your entry 16 Unwooded, like the tundra (8) habitat of marine turtles (5) running commentary was thrilling: “The shark is under our boat!” landscape of the Arctic, following bears through to Action Magazine, WWF- 19 Groups of dolphins or whales (4) 21 Large European herd creature also 20 Four _ , former type of leaded We tracked the basking shark for several hours, gaining a the year, from playful cubs to majestic males. UK, Living Planet Centre, petrol (4) known as the wisent (5) privileged insight into its life. As darkness fell, the air grew cold. As well as hunting seals on the sea ice, polar Ruford House, Brewery Road, 22 Heatwaves are an example of such It was time to return to the harbour. We’d been on the boat for 21 bears are increasingly foraging in settlements, Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL. weather (7) Autumn 2019 answers hours but we were in good spirits as we huddled in the cabin. Long- putting their relationship with local people under 23 Devastating occurrences causing Prize word: OTTERS Only one competition per entry large areas of trees to go up in term, we hope this project will prove how critical these waters are strain. Accompanying the images are evocative Across 5. Nitrous oxide 8. Harpoon please. Closing date: Friday smoke (6,5) 9. White 11. Roar 12. Tails 15. Clean and help us safeguard the basking sharks and their secret sea. essays and poems exploring the challenges polar 16. Mane 19. Cobra 20. Biofuel 27 March. For full terms and 21. Snow leopards bears face now – and in the future. For your chance Clues down Down 1. Onshore 2. Motor 3. Lights conditions, visit: to win, follow the instructions (right) and mark 1 Africa’s largest country (7) 4. Delta 6. Threat 7. Sun 10. Lion Tessa wwf.org.uk/compterms 2 Falling from the skies, it’s a 12. Tree 13. Jaguar 14. Red List Tessa Francis, WWF’s content team your entry ‘Polar Bear Competition’. 15. Carbon 17. Coast 18. Soups 20. Bee precious supplier of fresh water (4) 30 | Action Spring 2020 Action Spring 2020 | 31 INSPIRE YOUR CHILDREN WITH THE WONDERS OF OUR NATURAL WORLD #44 2020 • ISSUE • SPRING • ACTION

© NASA | © KIDS INDUSTRIES / TURBO SQUID / TURBO | INDUSTRIES © ©KIDS NASA

SCAN THE MAP etuer adipiscing elit, Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consect watch Scan the mapm withy nibh you euismodr device tincidu and nt ut laoreet sed diam nonum wisi enim. doloit comere magn toa lialiquamfe befo erera yout volutpr verayt. eUtyes.

CYPRUS

JORDAN U.S

AR

Every month, receive an exciting delivery through your letterbox, full of activities, features and fun facts about what makes Planet Earth so special.

Plus, bring it all to life through the power of augmented reality with our new Amazing Planet app.

It’s the perfect gift for planet-loving explorers aged 7–11. Discover more at: wwf.org.uk/amazing-planet WWF.ORG.UK

FSC logo to go here