Is the planet facing its next mass extinction?

Many scientists and researchers believe the Earth is currently in its sixth mass extinction – a period in which at least three-quarters of life becomes extinct. Rampant habitat destruction, the decimation of thousands and species, and climate change are all indicators that this geological period is quite likely already underway.

What you need to know about the sixth mass extinction

A mass extinction event can be defined as the rapid decrease in global biodiversity or species richness on Earth, where many living species die out over a short period. In geological time, “a short period” can span thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years.

In Earth’s history, there have been five major mass extinction events, each triggered by natural phenomena outside the control of any one species, such as asteroids or increased volcanic activity. The consensus amongst scientists is that we are currently at the beginning of a sixth mass extinction event and that we, humans, are to blame for it.

What is causing the sixth mass extinction?

Unfortunately, we are. The rapid loss of global biodiversity is attributed entirely to human activity through rapid overpopulation, unsustainable land, energy and water use, species exploitation, and human-accelerated climate change. 

The current species extinction rate is thousands of times higher than the natural rate of extinction (i.e: that which would occur in the absence of humans). Extinctions and extinction events are normal regulatory processes in the Earth’s system. However, the rate at which they are currently occurring is significant enough to affect global ecosystem functioning. 

Almost half of Earth’s natural land has been transformed for human food production, with agriculture being the primary source of deforestation and unsustainable water use. Additionally, agricultural emissions, such as methane gas from livestock, are the number one contributors to greenhouse gas production. These greenhouse gases have disrupted the delicate balance of the atmosphere, resulting in rising global temperatures and extreme climate events ranging from severe droughts and famine to extreme storms and flooding.

This creates a vicious cycle, worsening global conditions for humans and the other species we share the planet with.

The Earth’s living system is a delicate web, with each species, including humans, playing a crucial role. 

These interactions bring countless benefits to humankind, including clean air and water, fertile soil for food production, and disease management and control. The reduction in population size or extinction of one species has a ripple effect across the entire ecosystem web, resulting in decreased ecosystem health and further risk for extinction in other species. 

Humans are at the center of this web, manipulating the Earth’s natural systems to our benefit and operating on scales that bypass the natural processes of evolution. If we do not recognize and readjust our course of action, we will continue to lose species at an increasingly alarming rate. The fact is that human impact is outpacing the rate at which natural evolutionary processes can recover. 

The current levels of human activity are causing   the decline of most of Earth’s biodiversity and our own downfall. We may not witness this in our lifetimes, but, at the current pace, future generations will continue to deteriorate until they no longer have enough resources to sustain life. The occurrence of the sixth mass extinction is not a matter of “if” but “when.”

Despite the grim reality, there is still hope. If humans are the cause of this extinction, then surely we can be the solution. By acknowledging our role in this crisis and taking collective action, we can steer the course towards a more sustainable future.

What can you do?

There is still time to mitigate our impacts on the Earth before we reach a point of no return, but this must be done now.

Global policies such as the Paris Agreement are crucial, but individual actions also play a significant role. Supporting green-affiliated governments, funding and endorsing conservation efforts, funding renewable energy programmes, educating yourself and others about the climate and biodiversity crisis, boycotting large corporations responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable land use and agriculture, and advocating for sustainable fisheries practices are all ways that individuals can contribute to the solution.

The key is to act today because tomorrow is too late.

Read more about how we are working to help animals affected by climate change and habitat loss.