Global biodiversity conference opens in southern France

French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to open the World Conservation Congress in the southern city of Marseille

MARSEILLE, France -- French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to urge world leaders and institutions to safeguard biodiversity as they work to curb climate change and support human welfare at a global summit starting Friday in southern France. Macron will formally open the World Conservation Congress in the French southern city of Marseille, on the Mediterranean coast. Thousands of people are set to attend the event, both in person and virtually, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference, which is held every four years, focuses on urgent actions needed to protect wildlife. Several recent studies have reported that many of the planet's ecosystems are severely strained by global warming, over use and other threats. Oceanic shark populations have dropped by 71% since 1970. More than half of all bird of prey species worldwide are declining in population - and 18 species are critically endangered. Warming temperatures and melting ice are projected to imperil 70% of Emperor penguin colonies by 2050, and 98% by 2100.