Reasons and the Future

First of all, thank you for reading my blog. I've enjoyed searching and reading through the possibilities and challenges ahead of the current ecosystem. My blog began with exploring previous extinction events and whether the 'Sixth Extinction' would happen. Currently, after all the fruitful readings on these topics, I would say humans have contributed greatly to the likelihood of the 'Sixth Extinction'. And this extinction would not be an abrupt event. Arguably, it would be gradual..

Previous mass extinctions gave us some insights into what might possibly be the underlying reasons to currently endangered or recently extinct species. Methane and climate threats are among those that are our current threats. But along the causes of climate change, I recognised that those related to humans are most influential in pushing towards the edge of a mass extinction event.  Their actions alter habitats and introduce invasive species. Specifically, hunting and poaching have been extremely destructive to animals, insects and marine species. Many species are threatened as a result of human practices.

Little egret

Climate change, as one of the hottest topics now in the world, is potentially the biggest concern to endangered species. The Little egret has now moved to Britain, where it was previously too cold for the species. The relocation of species has occurred two to three times faster than it was expected due to global warming. There are also campaigns raising awareness of the effects of global warming on species such as the donation to the survival of America Pika through National Wildlife Federation. As one can see in my earlier blogs, threats include non-human factors and therefore it is incorrect to direct the blame solely on human activities. However, the ever-increasing intensity of human activities is the key driver towards the possibility of the 'Sixth Extinction.' 

But in this last blog, I would like to share some alternative perspectives I came across that I found interesting. Perhaps extinction is just a process of evolution and therefore is inevitable? Just like mass extinctions in the past, current extinction of species might be part of the natural cycle on Earth. When humans are added to the equation, species that extinct are the ones which fail to negotiate with the changing environment. In other words, they are part of the evolutionary loss. Further, humans are not necessary a destructive force. Bringing about new species can be seen as increasing biodiversity overall (perhaps not locally..). 

Undoubtedly, there are still uncertainties about future extinctions. We see evidence of some species disappearing from the planet, but there is certainly not a mass extinction yet. I just hope to see greater effort in protecting endangered species, thereby minimising the amount of species reaching the edge of extinction.