Are We In The Midst of The Sixth Extinction?
Everyone is familiar with how the Dinosaurs were wiped out.
An asteroid, between 10 and 15 kilometres, slammed into the Yucatan peninsula in modern-day Mexico, bringing an end to the reign of the T-Rex and Triceratops.
This event, 65 million years ago, is one of five mass extinction events which have occurred throughout Earth's history.
Today, most scientists agree we're living through a sixth extinction event. Except this one isn't caused by a giant asteroid, a volcanic eruption, or the release of oxygen into the air which caused the Cambrian mass extinction.
This one is caused by us.
A 2019 report commissioned by a committee at the United Nations estimates roughly one million species of plants and animals face extinction within decades as a result of human activity.
The dodo is the classic example of this phenomenon. It became extinct in the 17th century due to habitat destruction, hunting and the introduction of mammals who preyed on the species.
With climate change starting to hit home, efforts to save endangered animals may not work. Think of the bushfires in Australia which killed an estimated 1 billion animals.
Should they recur throughout this decade, it's possible many species could become extinct on the Australian continent, joining the dodo.
The increase in human population, encroaching into natural environments and hunting of wild animals all pose a threat to endangered species.
It's hard to appreciate what's happening. The effects aren't as visible as climate change. But this is a serious issue we need to address.
Animals and plants add to the rich tapestry of life on planet Earth. It's our duty to protect the planet rather than exploit it.
If we don't, we're condemning thousands, if not millions, of species to extinction.
The greatest irony of all?
We could end up on that list too.