Earth has already experienced five mass extinctions due to natural phenomenon, but new research suggests that a sixth is occurring and that human activity may be responsible.
Research by University of Hawaii at Manoa revealed that our planet lost between 150,000 and 260,000 (7.5% to 13.3%) of its two million species from 1500 to 2015.
While some people are denying that there will be a dramatic decline in biodiversity, Elon Musk, a billionaire believes that increased numbers of species extinctions are inevitable.
Musk responded to a tweet about the release of the study. [percent] chance of *all* species extinction due to expansion of the sun.’
But the tech tycoon offers a solution: Humanity must make it multi-planetary.
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While some people are denying that this dramatic decline could lead to mass extinction, Elon Musk, a billionaire believes an increase in the rate of species extinction is possible.
Musk’s tweet goes back to statements Musk made to Time magazine December 20, 2021, where he suggested that there be a futuristic Noah’s Ark for animals on Mars. This would save them from being extinct.
He said, “The next great thing is to create a Mars-based self-sustaining city that can support all of the creatures and animals on Earth.”
“Sounds a lot like a futuristic Noah’s ark. It’s possible to bring two more, but it would be a bit strange if only one of them was available.
Musk has received ridicule from scientists for his plan. However, Musk’s position on sixth extinction may be true.
Robert Cowie, University of Hawaii researcher, led the study. He noted that while the Red List of Threatened Species mainly includes birds and mammals but excludes most invertebrates – a group that has experienced a drastic loss.
It is noted that the Red List does not seem to include extinct species and avoids Romeo Error. This means it underestimates how many have disappeared. This is a picture of Rurutu’s recent extinct Endodontidae, which aren’t on the Red List.
Robert Cowie, University of Hawaii’s director of the study, found that while the Red List of Threatened Species mainly includes birds and mammals but excludes most invertebrates – a group that has suffered a significant loss.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, human activity is known to have forced 869 species to extinction in the last 500 years.
“Incorporating estimates about the actual number of invertebrate extinctions leads us to conclude that the rate greatly exceeds the background rate, and that perhaps we are witnessing the beginning of the Sixth Mass Extinction,” reads the research published in the journal Biological Reviews.
Pictured is an Eskimo curlew from Audubon that disappeared around 1827, but is not listed as such, for fear of committing the ‘Romeo Error’
It is noted that the Red List does not seem to be able to ignore Romeo Error, which refers uncritically accepting pronouncements or assumptions about extinction. The Red List also doesn’t include all extinct species. This means it underestimates how many species have disappeared.
And it is most common among invertebrate types, as they are usually only documented locally and often just one specimen. This makes them hard to judge with the Red List criteria.
‘For instance, ~ 20% of Australian Neuroptera are known from a single specimen or a single locality; in a random sample of terrestrial molluscs worldwide, 30% were known only from the original description and 33% from only one locality; in a random sample of Coleoptera, 53% were known only from a single locality and 13% from a single specimen; among species of Trichoptera newly described in 2011–2014, 45% were based on singletons; and of 2,198 worldwide mantids, 48% are reported based on single specimens,’ the study reads.
Red Lists, as a taxonomically biased and incomplete, is also not considered a reliable basis to evaluate global extinction. This is the parasite seen in extinct after its host, the Kiwi, moved to an island without predators. The Red List does not include it.
Also, they claim that the Red List doesn’t provide enough data to accurately assess global extinction.
Cowie stated that including invertebrates is key in confirming the Earth’s Sixth Mass Extinction’s onset.
The new study shows that science denial has taken root in society today on many issues. However, some people still believe that sixth extinction is imminent.
Others accept this as an evolutionary change, since humans are another species that plays a natural part in Earth’s past.
Many people believe that the only purpose of manipulating biodiversity is to benefit humanity.
Cowie stressed that humans are the only species capable to manipulate the biosphere at large scale.
“We’re not another species trying to adapt to the external environment. We, on the other hand, are the only species capable of making conscious choices about our future as well as that of Earth’s biodiversity.
Accepting the crisis without reacting or encouraging it is an act of denial and abrogation by humanity. This allows Earth to move on the sad path towards the Sixth Mass Extinction.