Extinction is an all too familiar word in natural history, but is scarcely used in reference to modern society. The world we live in is at a crossroads between our future as a viable planet and the role humans choose to play. Extinction rates are on the rise, raising the question: are we currently witnessing the latest mass extinction?. There have been five eras of extinction in our planet’s history, including the Cambrian era that occurred 250 million years ago, where an estimated 50% of animal families became extinct. More “recent” extinction eras include the Permian era when, according to Richard Primack, author of A Primer of Conservation Biology, 50% of all animal families and over 95% of marine species went extinct. The reign of the dinasours ended in the Cretaceous era, the most recent major extinction event. Now we are realizing that we may be entering the Earth’s sixth major extinction wave. Unlike others, however, this extinction wave isn’t being caused by a massive meteor, mega earthquakes or volcanoes…but by us.
Our Role
When we start to wonder why some of our favorite species are disappearing, we need to take a look in the mirror. The human population has ballooned to over six billion people, and our lifestyle requires the use of large amounts of natural resources. In doing so, we have sped the course of climate change on our planet. For instance, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2008 red list factsheet, which compiles the data of species threatened with extinction, shows that approximately 38% of current species could become extinct in the near future.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7651981.stm |
With priority often given to indulgences over environmental issues, governments have been promulgating loose regulations enabling corporate involvement that “modifies” our natural landscapes to suit their interests. This has led to climate-change that could result in the disappearance of the majority of threatened species before the next generation hits retirement. Thus, extinction rates are high because of human activity and its affect on the natural world. We can’t blame something from outer space or another dominant species; we are living in a time where our individual actions are literally reshaping the course of history for other species.
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www.greenfacts.org/en/biodiversity/images/bdv |
It Matters
Why should this matter to us? What makes this extinction event different, and why does the loss of some species among millions truly matter? One thing for sure is that all life forms are dependent on the welfare of the planet. Everything is connected, and humans are just as dependent on the health of ecosystems as other species.
Our concerns stretch to hotspots in South America, China and Madagascar, areas where a large quantity of our planet’s biodiversity is concentrated. In the last century, the health of the rainforests, rivers and other habitats in these areas have deteriorated due to extensive human activity. But why should this matter to non-indigenous peoples? Some of the most important recent medical discoveries have ties to these areas. For instance, the United States Cancer Institute (USCI) has identified 3000 plants that are active against cancer cells. In addition, the USCI states that 25% of all active ingredients found in current cancer-fighting drugs derive from organisms found only in the Amazon rainforest. The scary thing about that is about 70% of those plants are found in the very rainforests we cut down and build on.The loss of biodiversity matters.
Change Starts Within
We need to start looking at ways to alter our behavior to positively impact the planet, or at least lessen the severity of our detrimental actions. As Ghandi once said, “We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.” Change starts with our individual choices and how we each view our own place on Earth. It seems like a no brainer that we should want to save the only home we have. Although currently governments and corporations may have a different perspective, if we work together we can do small things that will make big differences for the planet and its co-inhabitants.
We are living in a time of uncertainty and economic downturn. If we start looking at saving our planet not only as a moral obligation but also as economically self-sustaining mechanism, we may be able to curb our own demise. In a time where people are looking for ways to stimulate their own economies, we can incorporate two goals into one. One potential starting point is the promotion of our national parks and wildlife refuges as eco-tourist hot spots, utilizing the support of local and federal governments and communities to fund job creation and conservation projects. One strength of this idea is that it incorporates the help of people who would normally not give a second glance to a conservation project. But with financial initiative we may be unlocking the first major step in getting the general public to conserve and appreciate our natural habitats. This could trickle down to other things. Getting people invested in trying to save a habitat or two could save a flora and/or fauna species as well as provide momentum to curb extinction rates. I don’t know about you but one day I would like to ice skate with the polar bears.
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