The Sixth Mass Extinction, largely caused by humans, has been confirmed through new research emphasizing invertebrates’ extinction, differing effects on marine and terrestrial life, human influence on the biosphere, and the insufficient political response.
The history of life on Earth has been marked five times by events of mass biodiversity extinction caused by extreme natural phenomena. Today, many experts warn that a Sixth Mass Extinction crisis is underway, this time entirely caused by human activities.
Assessing the Current Extinction Crisis
A comprehensive assessment of evidence of this ongoing extinction event was published recently in the journal Biological Reviews by biologists from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris, France.
“Drastically increased rates of species extinctions and declining abundances of many animal and plant populations are well documented, yet some deny that these phenomena amount to mass extinction,” said Robert Cowie, lead author of the study and research professor at the UH Mānoa Pacific Biosciences Research Center in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). “This denial is based on a highly biased assessment of the crisis which focuses on mammals and birds and ignores invertebrates, which of course constitute the great majority of biodiversity.”
The Role of Invertebrates in Biodiversity
By extrapolating from estimates obtained for land snails and slugs, Cowie and co-authors estimated that since the year 1500, Earth could already have lost between 7.5 and 13% of the two million known species – a staggering 150,000 to 260,000 species.
“Including invertebrates was key to confirming that we are indeed witnessing the onset of the Sixth Mass Extinction in Earth’s history,” said Cowie.
Differential Impact on Marine and Land Species
The situation is not the same everywhere, however. Although marine species face significant threats, there is no evidence that the crisis is affecting the oceans to the same extent as the land. On land, island species, such as those of the Hawaiian Islands, are much more affected than continental species. And the rate of extinction of plants seems lower than that of terrestrial animals.
Unfortunately, along with science denial taking a foothold in modern society on a range of issues, the new study points out that some people also deny that the Sixth Extinction has begun. Additionally, others accept it as a new and natural evolutionary trajectory, as humans are just another species playing their natural role in Earth’s history. Some even consider that biodiversity should be manipulated solely for the benefit of humanity – but benefit defined by whom?
Human Influence and Responsibility
“Humans are the only species capable of manipulating the biosphere on a large scale,” Cowie emphasized. “We are not just another species evolving in the face of external influences. In contrast, we are the only species that has conscious choice regarding our future and that of Earth’s biodiversity.”
To fight the crisis, various conservation initiatives have been successful for certain charismatic animals. But these initiatives cannot target all species, and they cannot reverse the overall trend of species extinction. Nonetheless, it is essential to continue such efforts, to continue to cultivate a wonder for nature, and crucially to document biodiversity before it disappears.
Addressing Political Challenges in Conservation
“Despite the rhetoric about the gravity of the crisis, and although remedial solutions exist and are brought to the attention of decision-makers, it is clear that political will is lacking,” said Cowie. “Denying the crisis, accepting it without reacting, or even encouraging it constitutes an abrogation of humanity’s common responsibility and paves the way for Earth to continue on its sad trajectory towards the Sixth Mass Extinction.”
Reference: “The Sixth Mass Extinction: fact, fiction or speculation?” by Robert H. Cowie, Philippe Bouchet and Benoît Fontaine, 10 January 2022, Biological Reviews.
DOI: 10.1111/brv.12816
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Prove it!
You are the proof that science denial is taking a foothold in modern society on a range of issues.
You speak of “science” as if it’s your religion.
“Prove it!” is a Moving the Goalposts violation and automatic default in this – or any – debate, Moore.
The correct statement is “Prove it, according the following precisely-stated and precisely-defined criteria that define what constitutes a proof.” and to issue those criteria. And they, too, may be subject to debate.
And the correct reply to “Prove it!” is “Define ‘Proof'”. Failure to note the absence of criteria issued with the request and call it out (thereby tacitly going along with the fallacy), not to mention repeating the infraction in your own reply (“you’re proof” without any criteria stated of what constitutes a proof), is therefore also a Moving the Goalposts violation, Nye.
You’re both disqualified. The Referee has ruled. No appeals.
A better explanation of “sixth extinction”:
https://mycousinthecarp.blogspot.com/2022/01/sixth-extinction-is-just-depopulation.html
“On land, island species, such as those of the Hawaiian Islands, are much more affected than continental species.”
As documented by Darwin, while in the Galapagos Islands, the rate of evolution is also greater on islands. All of the plants and animals living on Hawaii are ‘exotic’ in the sense that they were all transported there after the volcanoes broke the water surface. They then began to evolve into separate species. Does extinction of some species track the evolution of other species?
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“Unfortunately, along with science denial taking a foothold in modern society on a range of issues, the new study points out that some people also deny that the Sixth Extinction has begun.”
What ‘science’ is being denied? This is like AGW. It isn’t proven, can’t be discussed (as shown by the other dumbass commentators), and is more social commentary than anything scientific. Here is a little help: science isn’t political. Science has nothing to do with consensus. Science is a work in progress and this stupidity above shows that many ‘scientists’ feel the need to employ societal constraints on anyone who dares question their ‘science’.
Strange that the Scientific Method isn’t truly employed anymore. It just might get in the way of the next up and coming Doomsday Scenarios…