In the first chapter of "The Sixth Extinction," Kolbert focuses on the extinction of amphibians in Panama. She describes a species of frog, the golden frog, in the El Valle de Anton, that was extremely toxic. The frog was a symbol of the village's strength, and after it began to disappear, the village was in shambles. A research center in the Valle began to research the causes of the frog's extinction, and came to the conclusion that a fungus was poisoning the frogs. This particular case of extinction was categorized as one of the first "background extinctions," or a catastrophic depletion of species that is caused by events such as natural disasters. 
"The Sixth Extinction" by Elizabeth Kolbert is a novel that focuses on the mass extinction of species in the Anthropocene. Kolbert starts her novel by describing various aspects of the human race, and noting that, although humans are not particularly strong in terms of fertility, size, or strength, they are perhaps the most adaptable and intelligent species on the planet. Because of the human race's ability to form and articulate thoughts and communications, their actions have led to a large decrease in the biodiversity of many species on the planet.
Throughout the first half of the novel, the author gives many examples and statistics that reveal the shocking truth about the extinction of many species on Earth. She states that although natural selection and other natural factors will always cause species to go extinct, in this day and age, amphibians are going extinct 45,000 times faster than in the last million years. This rate is absolutely inconceivable. If these numbers continue to increase at a steady rate, the annihilation of species on Earth will be larger than that of the Cretaceous period; the largest known mass-extinction on Earth.
Because of the human race's desire to relocate species, destruct habitats, and burn fossil fuels, the world is beginning to see a dramatic decrease in biodiversity. Acidity is destroying the calcium-based shell animals of the ocean and completely destroying the marine ecosystem. A rise in temperature is creating environments that are not sustainable for land mammals. Deforestation is destroying the habitats of animals in many parts of the world. If humans do not become cognizant of their actions, coupled with creating mechanisms to stop species extinction, many of the organisms on Earth will soon disappear, including the human race.
I read the first chapter of this book since it was originally published, I think, in the New Yorker. I thought it used specific examples to make a troubling case about the loss of species, happening faster than most people realize. (It is not a novel, I don't think, but a work of non-fiction.)
ReplyDeleteI believe that the reason humans are able to survive is not because we can adapt to the environment, but because we are forcing the environment to adapt to us. And because the environment has begun to work for us it has stopped working for other species.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all your last picture really caught my eye. We as humans are to blame for this whole mess that we call climate change. I do agree that nature takes it course and species go extinct because of natural cycles. Though because of us humans being able to adapt better then most species, in result we are probably the number one contributing factor to the other species extinction happening so quickly.
ReplyDeleteAs far as humans always being able to adapt, does there come a time when the degree that we have to adapt to is too much? If all the predictions are true of these scientists, I believe that the different climate and effects of it may be too extreme for even us humans to adapt to.
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy to see all the damage that we are causing to the Earth and how quickly. As gloomy and cynical as it sounds I think that the animals that are going extinct are a glimpse into the future of mankind. Humans changed the environments that these species had lived in to such an extent that they were eventually unable to adapt and thus went extinct. We have altered our own environment so much that a time will come when we are unable to adapt to the Earth that we have changed so drastically that we too will go extinct. I can't help but wonder when and how quickly this extinction will occur.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so sad. It definitely seems like it will tug on your heart-strings more because it plays into the cute and cuddly creatures. Hopefully you enjoy it! I do think that bringing animals into climate change is a great way to educate the public.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that we have what it takes (probably) to make it through this global issue, but many of our most delicate and vibrant species do not. It's pretty appalling how we have literally sucked the life out of our planet and left it for dead. As organisms on this planet, humans have the obligation to take care of the environment instead of encroaching so ruthlessly on ecosystems like we have been. Sad.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the human race doesn't go overboard with its own inventions and cause an anthropogenic extinction. Whether it's from nuclear weapons, greenhouse gases, or artificial viruses, the possibility is becoming more and more tangible. Maybe one problem with species extinction is that there are so many species on this planet that the effects aren't as apparent to us.
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