Earth has been nearly wiped out 5 times, by climate change, ice age, volcanoes, and an asteroid that obliterated the dinosaurs. These are known as the “Big Five” mass extinctions. We are now on the verge of a sixth. This time humans will be the ones to blame. The current extinction rate could be more than 100 times higher than normal. The Earth’s oceans and forests are home to an untold number of species, many of which will likely disappear before we even get to know they exist. One of the most serious aspect of the environmental crisis is the loss of biodiversity (the other living things with which we share Earth). Loss of biodiversity affects human well-being by interfering with delicate ecosystem services such as crop pollination, water purification and most importantly by destroying other living species. Animal agriculture contributes to species extinction in many ways. Habitat destruction is caused by clearing forests and converting land to grow feed crops for livestock and grazing. Predator species are often unnecessarily targeted and hunted due to a perceived threat to livestock. The widespread use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers in the production of feed crops interferes with the reproductive systems of animals and poison waterways. The over-exploitation of wild species through commercial fishing and trophy hunting all contribute to global depletion of species and resources.
We’re entering the Earth’s sixth era of extinction — and it’s the first time humans are to blame. CNN introduces you to the key species
There is no longer any doubt: We are entering a mass extinction that threatens humanity’s existence. That is the bad news at the center of
Dr. Oppenlander explains how our continued choice to eat sea animals has cascading effects on other sea life. We are taking the food supply away
