this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2023
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Earth's sixth mass extinction is already happening — and it is rapidly accelerating, researchers warned in a study out this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal.

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[–] FaceDeer@kbin.social 39 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I mean, it's kind of inevitable. According to the stats on this page the total biomass of our livestock is 3.9% of all animal biomass, the total biomass of humans specifically is 2.3% of all animal biomass, and all wild mammals is only 0.3% of the biomass (with all wild birds accounting for a further 0.1%).

According to this article 38% of Earth's land area is used for agriculture. The remaining 62% is presumably generally among the less fertile sorts of land - mountains, deserts, etc.

It's not even a question of climate change. We've reduced the total volume of non-human-centric biomass on Earth, replacing much of it with a monoculture of our highly successful species and its domesticated associates. We've also spread around some hangers-on, like rats, that have filled a lot of niches that used to be occupied by more diverse local species. The remaining biomass simply cannot sustain as many species any more.

The only way to stop or reverse this trend would be to reduce the human population and increase its agricultural efficiency. Fortunately, that is possible. But only through continuing advancement of our technology and standard of living.

[–] Rayspekt@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

highly successful species

Well let's not get ahead of ourselves. Judging from the current state, the opposable thumb was wasted on us. Should've given it to the Capybaras.

[–] FaceDeer@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

You have to have some very particular and eccentric standards to judge humans as not being a successful species.

[–] beef_curds@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago

Don't worry. This is why we elect competent representatives to high office. I'm sure somebody capable is already looking into this and fixing it, right?

[–] SpiritedTaco@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago

Good! I am sick and tired of living. Can't wait for this crap to be over.

[–] craigevil@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

REM - "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY

[–] Rayspekt@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

Finally, lets just get over with it.