In May 2002 the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published a report on the state of the global environment. The report identifies 11,000 endangered species. This includes one in eight bird species and more
than 5,000 kinds of plants. 25% of the world's mammals are in danger of becoming extinct within 30 years.

In the report UNEP blames the introduction of invasive species, impacts of industry, and human encroachment on wilderness areas.
All these are factors are intensifying and
contribute to habitat destruction.

For the full UNEP Report visit:
http://www.unep.org/GEO/geo3/index.htm

Habitats are cut down, ploughed up, paved over, over-grazed and poisoned with radiation. They are coated with pesticides and toxic chemicals, flooded and drained, and drenched with acid rain. Waste is buried in them and oil dumped on them.

Other major contributors include: the direct exploitation of plants, forests and wildlife, the introduction of species into areas where they do not naturally occur, and pollution. Wildlife is being hunted down and the seas are being emptied of fish.

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