World Environment Day: UK Ratifies Wildlife Protection Treaty: John Major Honours 39 Environmental Campaigners Who Practise What They Preach

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BRITAIN yesterday ratified the United Nations biodiversity treaty, aimed at preserving the world's wildlife. The news was announced by John Major at a ceremony marking World Environment Day, celebrated in London this year.

There are estimated to be between 10 and 100 million species of plants and animals, but human encroachment into habitats and over- exploitation of natural resources could kill 25 per cent by 2025 in the biggest wave of extinctions since the death of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

The Prime Minister told his audience of award-winning environmental activists from every continent: 'Today we mark another anniversary - 150 years ago the last …