Catastrophic Species Loss Occuring on Earth
Posted on July 24, 2006
Scientists say the Earth is currently experiencing a catastrophic period of animal loss that will continue to worsen. The New Zealand Herald reports that nineteen of the world's top biodiversity experts signed a joint declaration that ran in Nature to try and encourage would cooperationi to save animal and plant life here on Earth.
Earth is losing species faster than at any time for at least 65 million years, when it was hit by an enormous asteroid that wiped out thousands of animals and plants, including the dinosaurs.The plea in Nature said that 12% of all birds, 23% of mammals, 25% of conifer trees, 32 % of amphibians and 52% of ancient tropical plants face imminent extinction. That is absolutely terrifying.Scientists say the rate at which species are going extinct is between 100 and 1000 times greater than the normal "background" extinction rate - and it's all because of human activity.
The call for action comes from some of the most distinguished scientists in the field, including Georgina Mace of the UK Institute of Zoology, Peter Raven, head of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St Louis and Robert Watson, chief scientist at the World Bank.
"For the sake of the planet, the biodiversity science community had to create a way to get organised ... and together with one clear voice advise governments on steps to halt the potentially catastrophic loss of species already occurring," Dr Watson said.
