Extinction: Evolution and the End of Humanity

Author: (English) Bolt
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: If a mass extinction really comes, Earth's history shows that after each mass extinction, what remains is a desolate world. However, over long periods of history, the entire world will continuously adjust itself and continue to develop—But can humans escape it? Can we still seize the last opportunity? On Earth, every hour, a species that has evolved over millions of years disappears forever. Scientists estimate that due to intense human interference, the rate of modern species extinction is 1,000 times faster than natural extinction and 1 million times faster than the rate of species formation. The rate of species extinction has accelerated from roughly one species per day to one species per hour, with three species going extinct each day. Currently, there are 593 bird species, over 400 mammal species, 209 amphibian and reptile species, and over 20,000 higher plant species facing extinction worldwide. Most of these endangered species are closely related to humans and hold significant importance for human survival and development.