The Sixth Great Extinction

With growing climatic concerns, it is necessary that policymakers consider the impact on biodiversity. Biodiversity is crucial for all essential life on Earth– maintaining ecosystem stability, providing resources like food and medicine, and supporting vital processes such as pollination and carbon absorption.

Through geological and fossil records, scientists have determined that the Earth has undergone five “great extinctions” that have wiped out vast numbers of species, reshaping ecosystems and the environment. Earth’s five major mass extinctions share common causes, including massive volcanic activity, climate shifts, and environmental disruptions. These events, such as global cooling or asteroid impacts, drastically reshaped life by wiping out vast species.

However, there has been recent concerns of the sixth great extinction happening right now, but now, because of humans. Namely, habitat destruction, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species are accelerating biodiversity loss. Extinction rates are varying widely, but there is still an estimated 24-150 species going extinct per day. Recovery could take millions of years, raising urgent questions about the cost of mitigating these impacts.

Clearly, this issue must be considered and acted upon. However, approaching human impact climatically is quite challenging, so focusing on biodiversity concerns could be a way to minimize effects. First, stricter regulations to prevent habitat destruction from logging, mining, and urban development should be considered (especially in risk-prone areas) to ensure the preservation of many species. Similarly, expanding protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife reserves, would help preserve critical ecosystems. The Galápagos Islands have been a model for biodiversity preservation, with strict conservation measures, invasive species management, and eco-tourism promoting ecological balance. Globally, similar efforts could be expanded through stronger protection of unique ecosystems and sustainable practices to safeguard biodiversity.