Elizabeth Kolbert: The Sixth Extinction (this one human caused)

[Peter Lemkin]

Bye-Bye Humans and about half of the species...most all of the larger ones humans care about....unless we not only STOP what we are doing, but reverse it! I lost my job teaching Environmental Science as the new Dean of the university didn't want it being taught. Period. People are hiding their heads in the sand on the most important and largest medium-term issue humans will EVER have to face. Yes, there are many other things to deal with and worry about...but this one will trump all others - and soon. Humans will NOT be around for the Seventh Extinction - which will be a natural one. This one is all our doing [and very likely our undoing]. At last check, we are loosing [forever - to extinction] over 250 species PER DAY.....think about that!..and the rate is accelerating asymptotically. There is a little known [outside of the Environmental Community] Red List published each year for the Planet and also by regions and some countries those species at immanent risk of extinction. It makes for very sad reading. Elephants and Rhinos are on the list....thousands of animals are. Thousands of plants. Whole ecosystems are dying. About 80% of all coral reefs are gone [dead] and tropical forests are being cut and burned at obscene rates. Humans are fouling their own 'nest' and that of all living things. No other species EVER has done that - or even come close. Sadly, some conservative religious beliefs are one of the biggest enemies on this matter, as the notion that the Planet was constructed for humans is believed by many explicitly, and by many more on a subconscious level. We have no more right than any other living thing - and I'd even argue less than most - to survive, if we are going to destroy most of life on the Planet. Human greed and a notion of superiority are another. Ignorance is also a very big factor. Most humans have no idea how large and destructive their 'footprint' is becoming, with technology and population growth. Read Derrick Jensen. Read Jarred Diamond. Look at the film below...if you dare.