Solar Power Station at White Cliffs, New South Wales, Australia. / ©: Klein & Hubert / WWF

People & the environment

Bicycles, cars, taxis, and pedestrians make their way across a crossroads, Beijing, China. / ©: Michel Gunther / WWF-Canon
© Michel Gunther / WWF-Canon
Our human footprint
Every human activity demands natural resources and produces waste. The measure of that impact on the environment is called our ecological footprint.
WWF’s 2020 footprint goal is that

By 2020, humanity’s global footprint falls below its 2000 level and continues its downward trend, specifically in the areas of its:
- energy/carbon footprint
- commodities footprint (crops, meat, fish and wood)
- water footprint
Boy drinking from water fountain / ©: Istockphoto.com / WWF-Canada
© Istockphoto.com / WWF-Canada
Water footprint
Global pressure on our freshwater resources is increasing, mainly through changes to population and income levels, which have increased the demand for water-intensive products such as meat, sugar and cotton.
WWF's 2050 footprint goal is that

By 2050, humanity’s global footprint stays within the Earth’s capacity to sustain life and the natural resources of our planet are shared equitably
Ice melting in Antarctica / ©: Greg & Kate Bourne / WWF-Aus
© Greg & Kate Bourne / WWF-Aus
Global warming and climate change
Pollution leading to global warming, climate change and the acidification of our oceans affects every aspect of conservation. That’s why WWF is taking urgent positive action.
FSC logo painted on sustainable harvested logs. Uzachi forest, Oaxaca, Mexico. / ©: N.C. Turner / WWF-Canon
© N.C. Turner / WWF-Canon
Working with business and industry
Individuals cannot control all the elements that contribute to a sustainable lifestyle so WWF is working with government and business to find solutions for Australians to live more sustainably.

Adopt an animal

  • Panthera tigris altaica Amur tiger Juvenile resting Metro Toronto Zoo

    Tiger

    Your adoption of Kamrita the tiger will help WWF protect these big cats in the wild.

    Tiger

    or Adopt an animal

  • Bornean Pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) mother walking with her calf along a road in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, North Borneo, Malaysia.

    Pygmy elephant

    The Borneo pygmy elephant is now in danger of extinction and WWF estimates that there are as few as 1,500 individuals pygmy elephants remaining in the wild.

    Pygmy elephant

    or Adopt an animal

  • Orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus), baby Semengoh Rehabilitation Center Sarawak, Borneo, Indonesia.

    Orang-utan

    Your adoption of Koyah will help WWF protect orang-utans in the wild through our campaign to stop habitat loss, hunting and illegal trade.

    Orang-utan

    or Adopt an animal

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Building a future in which people and nature thrive.

Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence.