Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Sri Lanka
Vladimir Putin
Mahinda Rajapaksa
United States of America
COVID-19
China
Pakistan
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / World News / Increasing evidence points towards sixth wave of extinction
World

Increasing evidence points towards sixth wave of extinction

Increasing evidence points towards sixth wave of extinction
Written by Shiladitya Ray
Jul 11, 2018, 12:24 am 4 min read
Increasing evidence points towards sixth wave of extinction

When the last male northern white rhino, Sudan, was put down earlier this year by its caretakers, the uncomfortable topic of extinction made its way into mainstream news for a brief period of time before being swept under the rug again. Yet, research on the issue continued, and the findings are far from comforting, with increasing evidence pointing towards a sixth wave of extinction.

Do you know?
The five major extinction events faced by the Earth

The Earth has faced five major extinction events - the Ordovician-silurian Extinction 440 million years ago, the Devonian Extinction 365 million years ago, the Permian-triassic Extinction 250 million years ago, the Triassic-jurassic Extinction 210 million years ago, and the Cretaceous-tertiary Extinction 65 million years ago.

Extinction rates
Extinction rates have shot up, worst since dinosaurs died out

Extinction, which has largely been considered a natural process, occurs at a "background" rate of about one to five species going extinct every year. Now, scientists estimate that we're losing species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the natural background rate, making this 'anthropocene' epoch the worst in terms of species die-offs since the dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago.

IUCN
IUCN: 26,000 of 93,000 species are vulnerable, critical, or endangered

The latest natural stock-taking report compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which includes reports from thousands of experts around the world, classifies 26,197 out of 93,577 recorded species as vulnerable, critical or endangered. Since last year, six species have already been declared extinct, taking the total to 872. Another 1,700 species are listed as critically endangered, and perhaps, already extinct.

UN estimates
UN reports point towards a lonely future for humankind

Just months back, a UN panel published similar findings. The reports predicted that the Asia-Pacific region would lose 45% of its biodiversity by 2048, while Africa is expected to lose half of its bird and mammal population by 2100. The Americas stand to lose 15% of its flora and fauna by 2050, and 28% of all species in Europe are currently under threat.

Anthropogenic causes
The extinction crisis facing Earth is of our own making

The causes for this massive decline in biodiversity are, unsurprisingly, anthropogenic in nature. With the world getting wealthier and more populated, human needs for food, land, energy, and clean water have increased tremendously thus resulting in deforestation, disappearance of pollution-absorbing mangroves and wetlands, encroachment into animal habitats, rising pollution levels, etc. Adding to the problem are issues of global warming, and consequent climate change.

Artificial selection
Humankind is playing God, revealed another study

In fact, another groundbreaking study revealed that the world's 7.6 billion human population represents only 0.01% of all biomass, but has contributed to 83% of all animal extinctions and around half of all plant extinctions since humankind's advent. Meanwhile, livestock and poultry, which are crucial to humankind, have grown disproportionately, and currently accounts for 60% of all mammals, and 70% of all birds, respectively.

Data
The composition of biomass on Earth

82% of the world's biomass comprises plants, while 13% of Earth's biomass is made up of bacteria. Every other form of life, including humans, fall within the remaining 5%, with humans occupying a measly 0.01%.

Consequences
Why we should be extremely worried

While the extinction of seemingly insignificant forms of life might seem unimportant, the consequences of continued biodiversity loss is potentially catastrophic. Firstly, biodiversity gives resilience to ecosystems in the face of change. Secondly, scientists warn that the loss of biodiversity is a graver threat than climate as it alters the Earth's capacity to provide clear air, fresh water, food, and stable weather systems.

Extinction debate
It's time we take a hard look at our future

Humanity has largely been apathetic towards the issue of extinction, often due to issues of human-biodiversity conflicts (for instance, it's unlikely that the eradication of small pox will be mourned). Yet, given the magnitude of the crisis facing humankind and its implications on our long-term future, it's high time to bring the extinction debate back into mainstream discourse and promote collective action.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Shiladitya Ray
Shiladitya Ray
Mail
Budding social scientist with a keen interest in social studies of science and the sociology of knowledge. Cinephile. Liverpudlian. Metalhead.
Latest
Global Warming
Climate Change
Sudan
Latest
Char Dham Yatra: Health screening amid pilgrim deaths; details here
Char Dham Yatra: Health screening amid pilgrim deaths; details here India
BAN vs SL, 1st Test: Mathews' 199 headlines Day 2
BAN vs SL, 1st Test: Mathews' 199 headlines Day 2 Sports
Teaser of Nayanthara's 'O2' dropped; film premiering on Disney+ Hotstar
Teaser of Nayanthara's 'O2' dropped; film premiering on Disney+ Hotstar Entertainment
IPL 2022, PBKS vs DC: Mayank Agarwal elects to field
IPL 2022, PBKS vs DC: Mayank Agarwal elects to field Sports
Meet 'Jug Jugg Jeeyo' family: Cast introduces their wholesome characters
Meet 'Jug Jugg Jeeyo' family: Cast introduces their wholesome characters Entertainment
Global Warming
Global temperature may rise 1.5 °C in 5 years: WMO
Global temperature may rise 1.5 °C in 5 years: WMO World
Heatwave in Delhi: Sigh of relief, but not for long
Heatwave in Delhi: Sigh of relief, but not for long India
Northwest, central India's April average temperature highest in 122yrs: IMD
Northwest, central India's April average temperature highest in 122yrs: IMD India
Global warming to make extreme coastal events more common: Study
Global warming to make extreme coastal events more common: Study Technology
Over 7L annual deaths in India linked to abnormal temperature
Over 7L annual deaths in India linked to abnormal temperature World
More News
Climate Change
PM Modi to chair meetings on heatwave, monsoon
PM Modi to chair meetings on heatwave, monsoon India
International Day of Forests 2022: History, theme, importance
International Day of Forests 2022: History, theme, importance Lifestyle
Cyclone Asani, first in 2022, to develop on March 21
Cyclone Asani, first in 2022, to develop on March 21 India
Why is Indonesia shifting capital from Jakarta to Nusantara?
Why is Indonesia shifting capital from Jakarta to Nusantara? World
COP26: UN seeks explanation from India, China over coal move
COP26: UN seeks explanation from India, China over coal move World
More News
Sudan
62 Indians stranded in Sudan; desperate to return amid chaos
62 Indians stranded in Sudan; desperate to return amid chaos World
Sudan PM arrested amid coup; what led to the crisis?
Sudan PM arrested amid coup; what led to the crisis? World
At least 100,000 babies die in war every year: Report
At least 100,000 babies die in war every year: Report World
Protest over rising bread price kills 19 in Sudan: Government
Protest over rising bread price kills 19 in Sudan: Government World
South Sudan's warring leaders meet for first time since 2016
South Sudan's warring leaders meet for first time since 2016 World
More News
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love World news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

World Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022