Since life began on earth, four billion years ago, there have been five known mass extinction events when much of life was eliminated in a geologically brief period. The last of these took place 65 million years ago and until recently was a mystery to scholars. We now know that the Age of Reptiles, about 100 million years of earth time, came to a screeching halt when a massive asteroid collided with the planet off the Yucatan coast of Mexico. This earth shattering event led to tsunamis, fire storms, and cataclysmic climate upheaval. T. rex never had a chance.

The sixth mass extinction crisis is currently in progress and is unique. It is the only such event driven, not by geology, climate, or astronomy, but by a single living force-Homo sapiens! The inescapable truth is shocking. Through direct persecution or habitat destruction humankind will bring about the demise of 25 to 50% of earth's species in the current century. We are the most awesome force for change the earth has ever known, greater even than asteroids or volcanoes. We got this way mostly in the last century, by explosive population growth and an acceleration of the scientific and technological revolution which increased our power to burn, cut, dig, move, and otherwise transform the physical earth. And that has made us the most potent extinction force in 65 million years. Maybe of all time. We are king of the mountain, until one day..........?

 

Without a drastic change in carbon emissions the polar bear will succumb to climate change this century. Some believe the same could be said about us. (next photo)