Skip to content

Conservation

Mass extinction is here and we don't want to keep it waiting

by Nicolette Smith 07 Mar 2011
Mass extinction is here and we don't want to keep it waiting

There seem to be so many Blockbuster films these days depicting a post-apocalyptic universe, it can be difficult to distinguish fiction from reality after a trip to the cinema. The causes of apocalypse vary between films; 'Deep Impact' (Meteor shower), 'I am Legend' (vampiric, zombie-like creatures), and '‘The Day After Tomorrow' (dramatic climate change).

The popularity of these films doesn't appear to wane, and as the truth about Global Warming becomes increasingly apparent, the melodrama and devastation depicted in these fictitious versions of reality doesn't actually seem that far from the truth. In a recent study published in the ecological journal Nature, the effects of an increasingly warm climate are revealed to have drastically altered the Earth's animal population.

In 540 million years, the Earth has undergone only five mass extinctions that we know of, during which over 75% of the animal population expired. Without jumping to sensationalist conclusions, it is safe to say that another, similar, event is unlikely, however a recent study published in Nature Magazine has investigated the likelihood of such an event occurring.

Anthony Barnosky, the integrative Biologist at the University of California at Berkeley who spearheaded the research, said of the team's findings: "If you look only at the critically endangered mammals--those where the risk of extinction is at least 50 percent within three of their generations--and assume that their time will run out and they will be extinct in 1,000 years, that puts us clearly outside any range of normal and tells us that we are moving into the mass extinction realm."

Essentially, Barnosky and his research team looked at where the animal populations are at now in terms of numbers, compared with their numbers over the past 540,000,000 years; the results gave cause for concern but are not without hope. If those species of animal currently identified as 'under threat' (i.e. with a significantly low population, a declining birth rate and little chance of recovery or further development) continue to reduce in number at the rate of today, within 1000 years they may all die out.

If course; it isn't all bad news. According to Barnosky and his fellow biologists, there is still time to save the remaining animal population. The relatively low number of animal extinctions which have occurred so far mean that an imminent mass extinction is unlikely.

However research team member Chris Marshall, also an integrated Biologist at Berkeley, emphasised that we are still bearing witness to a high level of animal extinctions: "Just because the magnitude is low compared to the biggest mass extinctions we've seen in half a billion years doesn't mean they aren't significant," Marshall explained, "Present rates are higher than during most past mass extinctions."

Clearly, the time to take action is now.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping