The last mass extinction of plant and animal species occurred 65 million years ago with the Dinosaurs. In all, five mass extinctions have occurred and scientists believe earth is in the sixth mass extinction. The author of the book “The Sixth Extinction”, Dr. Leakey states that 50% of the earth’s species will vanish within 100 years. The world as it is now is threatened, including people, who are responsible for earth’s deterioration.
The Damaged Earth
Pesticides contaminate water; overharvesting of animals and plants; air pollution; illegal fishing and the clearing of land are direct results of urbanization and deforestation. People have altered and/or damaged almost half of earth’s land, a very unsustainable rate.
Global warming is having a serious impact as well. A six-degree Celsius increase in global temperature killed 95% of all species on Earth 251 million years ago. An increase of six-degrees Celsius is forecast this century if a change is not made to reverse the damage done to earth. Home sapiens (people) will be one of the 95% of species lost. Noticeable changes of global warming include migration acceleration and the timing of seasons is changing. Migrating birds are migrating earlier, which in turn is causing them to hatch eggs and bear young earlier than they did at the beginning of this century.
Considerations
While this is just the tip of the iceberg, many, many issues need addressing regarding the extinction of plant and animal species. It is more important now than ever before to pull heads out of the sand and make a change for the better to earth. Future generations are threatened, as they are a species as well. This is a much bigger problem than just deciding to recycle plastic, as many believe. If you want to leave a legacy to your future generations, get involved in a program to save the planet. Whether it is on a personal level or a global level, find out what areas need help and what you can do to help.
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