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Scientists have warned decision‐makers about the severe consequences of the global environmental crisis since the 1970s. Yet ecological degradation continues and little has been done to address climate change. We investigated early‐career conservation researchers' (ECR) perspectives on, and prioritization of, actions furthering sustainability. We conducted a survey (n = 67) and an interactive workshop (n = 35) for ECR attendees of the 5th European Congress of Conservation Biology (2018). Building on these data and discussions, we identified ongoing and forthcoming advances in conservation science. These include increased transdisciplinarity, science communication, advocacy in conservation, and adoption of a transformation‐oriented social–ecological systems approach to research. The respondents and participants had diverse perspectives on how to achieve sustainability. Reformist actions were emphasized as paving the way for more radical changes in the economic system and societal values linked to the environment and inequality. Our findings suggest that achieving sustainability requires a strategy that (1) incorporates the multiplicity of people's views, (2) places a greater value on nature, and (3) encourages systemic transformation across political, social, educational, and economic realms on multiple levels. We introduce a framework for ECRs to inspire their research and practice within conservation science to achieve real change in protecting biological diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Wetland Extent Trends (WET) index updated with 1000 new wetland records. • Records show natural wetlands declined by 35% on average from 1970 to 2015. • Regional index for Latin America and the Caribbean shows the greatest loss. • Average change in extent of human-made wetlands of +233%. • Data show we are not on track to meet global targets to halt wetland habitat loss. Abstract Indicators of status and trends in wetland extent are essential for monitoring progress towards the environmental targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Here, we test the value of the Wetland Extent Trends (WET) index as an updatable indicator of trends in wetland area and its application to global and regional scale assessments and national reporting. We expand the indicator to include a regional trend for Latin America and the Caribbean and a global human-made WET index. Based on a sample of over 2000 wetland records, natural wetland extent declined on average by 35% globally, at an increasing rate from 1970 to 2015. Human-made wetlands, however, increased by 233% from 1970 to 2014. The continuing decline in natural wetland extent suggests that global targets will not be achieved without significant further efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]