New Zealand species are among the most vulnerable to extinction w/ The Victoria University of Wellington's Dr Julie Deslippe: 9th December, 2024

New Zealand and Australian species are among the most vulnerable to extinction in a warming world, according to a global analysis of 30 years of research.

The research found that Amphibians; species from mountain, island, and freshwater ecosystems; and species inhabiting South America, Australia, and New Zealand face the greatest threats.

If global warming reaches 1.3°C, 1.6% of species are threatened globally, with risks escalating to nearly 30% of global species at 5.4°C. 

Producer Evie spoke to Senior Lecturer in Science Ecology at the Victoria University of Wellington, Julie Deslippe about the research and what it could mean for Aotearoa’s ecosystem.