Every 20 minutes, a species of animal or plant becomes extinct, and in the last 50 years, the extinction rate has increased 40 times compared to the Industrial Revolution era. Our planet is entering the sixth mass extinction phase.
Historical Records
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| Panda, an endangered species (Photo: worldalmanacforkids) |
Earth’s geological history has recorded five mass extinction events (MEE), including the largest extinction at the end of the Permian period, around 250 million years ago. This event wiped out 90% of marine species and 75% of terrestrial plants and animals, leaving Europe nearly devoid of life.
Other mass extinctions occurred during the Cambrian, Triassic, Cretaceous, and Tertiary periods of prehistory, which “erased” many animal species now known only by name and fossils, such as super dinosaurs, flying dinosaurs, mammoths, ancient turtle lizards, and fish lizards…
For the first time, humans contributed to a global extinction event around 15,000 to 25,000 years ago. Through hunting, humans exterminated nearly 86% of large mammals over 44 kg across three continents: North America, South America, and Australia.
By 1600, the extinction of 700 vertebrate and invertebrate animals, as well as vascular plants, had been recorded worldwide.
From 1600 to the present, about 21% of animal species and 1.3% of bird species have gone extinct globally.
It is important to note that the recorded extinction numbers are significantly lower than reality and much smaller than predictions for the coming decades.
According to statistics from international environmental research organizations, the current species on Earth only represent 2% of what existed when life first emerged, meaning 98% of species have become extinct over time.
Human Impact
The causes of mass extinction events are still a topic of much debate. However, it is clear that humans have caused significant habitat changes for thousands of years, greatly impacting animal and plant species.
As early as 50,000 years ago, intentional fires occurred in the African savannas. About 5,000 years ago in Europe and around 4,000 years ago in North America, deforestation and the transformation of natural areas into grazing lands became widespread, allowing for the expansion of weeds and herbivores, leading to the extinction of numerous native species.
According to natural laws, when one species disappears, another will form, and the rate of species formation often matches or exceeds the rate of extinction, maintaining a balance in the natural world. So, why do mass extinctions occur?
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CITES (Photo: cites.org) |
In prehistoric times, mass extinctions were primarily caused by natural disasters. Today, researchers believe that over 99% of extinctions are caused by humans—a species that always seeks to assert its dominance over others. Human activities, such as indiscriminate resource exploitation, reckless deforestation, overuse of agricultural land, water pollution, drying up ponds and lakes, and devastating wars, are destroying the environment. Unsustainable tourism, construction, exploration, and unplanned extraction activities, along with industrial activities, have produced toxic emissions that contribute to climate change, creating holes in the ozone layer… directly threatening life on Earth.
To combat the risk of ecological imbalance on Earth and prevent species extinction, a significant effort is required from every individual and every country. Many countries worldwide have enacted laws to protect species and ecological environments. Currently, the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been enacted to control and monitor the trade of endangered animal species.
A Few Warnings
Researchers believe that our planet is entering the sixth mass extinction phase.
Currently, species are going extinct at a rate far exceeding the rate of species formation, the fastest ever recorded, and not following any natural law. Every 20 minutes, a species of animal or plant goes extinct, and in the last 50 years, the extinction rate has accelerated 40 times compared to the Industrial Revolution era.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned on May 2, 2006: More than 16,000 species of animals and plants are at risk of extinction globally, and with the current habitat destruction rate, approximately 25,000 species of animals and plants could go extinct every year over the next decade. The disappearance of these species will lead to the collapse of other dependent species, including humans.
The 2006 Red List also indicated that 25% of reptiles and mammals, 20% of amphibians, 12% of birds, and 10% of plant species currently on Earth will face extinction within the next 30 years.
The May 2006 issue of New Scientist published a study suggesting that around 200 of the world’s largest rivers will change their course within the next 300 years due to global warming, affecting the lives of 80% of aquatic species.
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| Mr. Achim Steiner – Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Photo: iisd.ca) |
According to the authors of a study published in the journal Conservation Biology, climate changes will cause tens of thousands of species of animals and plants to go extinct in the coming decades. This extinction is particularly severe in the most biodiverse areas, such as the tropical Andes or the Caribbean region. The authors estimate that 39-43% of species in these areas—equating to 56,000 plant species and 3,700 vertebrate species—will disappear along with a doubling of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere compared to pre-industrial times.
Mr. Achim Steiner, Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has repeatedly warned about the rapid disappearance of species leading to a decline in biodiversity. “This affects the lives and livelihoods of billions of people who depend on them. The future consequences are unpredictable and difficult to reverse.”
Recently, humanity has been suffering from unexpected natural disasters such as storms, floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. This is just a part of the price humanity must pay for how it has treated nature. It is clear that humans need to realize that their destruction and unsustainable development are increasingly impacting their own lives and future. If we only focus on immediate benefits, in the long run, humanity will face immense and unpredictable damages.
