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Contemporary Mass Extinction and the Human Population Imperative
... Unlike past events this mass extinction is not influenced by natural causes. Rather, it is the actions of human beings that are having significant effects on other animal species, particularly our closest living relatives the Great Apes [1][2][3][4]. ...
This study examined Greater Melbourne residents’ perspectives toward orangutan conservation through a mixed mode survey method, using postal surveys (N = 108, response rate = 11.8%) and telephone interviews (N = 50, response rate = 51%). Differences were found between knowledge levels about orangutans, attitudes towards orangutans and behavioural intentions. It appears probable that when an individual is educated about how human beings impact orangutans and holds positive attitudes towards them, most would try to reduce their impact.
... Tropical forests continue to be developed [74] even as extinction of species continues [75] and most ocean fish are over-harvested [31]. Invasive species are increasingly causing great economic and ecological harm yet, as in the example of trout and red deer in Argentina and Chile, some are protected for profit [76]. ...
The Earth appears to be at the beginning of sixth massive species extinction. This paper balances a review of the forces threatening species survival with a comprehensive scan of factors that could act as counterweights. These factors could lead to four types of evolution-cultural, regulatory, ecological, and technological-that could individually or in combination avert massive species extinction if humans implement solutions faster than new problems arise. Implications and future research opportunities are also explored.
... There the animals had more time to adjust, unlike the animals at other locations which had to adapt to the sudden arrival of humans. Furthermore, there is substantial evidence that extinction has been accelerating over the last 500 years due to human impact, including the advent of weapons of mass destruction, industrial poisons, pharmaceuticals, and human wastes (Levy and Sidel 2009, McKee 2009, Tonn 2009). ...
... Human actions are directly contributing to climate change, over-consumption of the earth's limited resources, and a loss of biodiversity [Stern, 1992;Saunders, 2003;Clayton and Myers, 2009;Wich et al., 2011]. The impacts of human behavior and population expansion on other animal species have been particularly significant [McKee, 2009]. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (based on evaluations of nearly 56,000 different species) suggests that 33% of animal life on earth is presently threatened [IUCN, 2010]. ...
With significant biodiversity loss occurring presently, increased emphasis is being placed upon the capacity of zoos to contribute to species conservation. This paper evaluates an innovative conservation education campaign 'Don't Palm Us Off' implemented at Melbourne Zoo, Australia. This sought to address a lack of public awareness regarding palm oil (the product most threatening the survival of the orang-utan) and to create public support for mandatory labeling of palm oil on food products, allowing for informed consumer purchasing. Communication tools utilized included an educational video presentation played on-site, as well as You Tube video, celebrity ambassadors, and social media. Evaluation took place across four time-points: baseline, mid-point, conclusion (12 months), and follow-up. Zoo visitors (N = 403) were randomly selected whilst visiting the orang-utan exhibit, completing a questionnaire regarding knowledge about orang-utans, attitudes toward orang-utans, support for palm oil labeling, previous conservation behavior, and intentions for future behavior. Results revealed significant increases in palm oil awareness; attitudes toward orang-utans; support for palm oil labeling; and indicating labeling would influence purchasing behavior, at all times relative to baseline (P < 0.01). There were also significant increases in self-reported conservation behavior at the end of the campaign and follow-up (P < 0.05). In excess of 160,000 people additionally signed an associated petition for mandatory palm oil labeling. Overall the findings support the efficacy of this multi-faceted initiative; highlighting the importance of continued innovation in zoo-based conservation education and practice (including the integration of emerging technologies with traditional on-site education) to maximize contributions to species conservation. Zoo Biol. XX:XX-XX, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Zoo Biology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
... Many scientists also believe we are now experiencing a sixth mass extinction, which is driven by Homo sapiens (Crutzen and Stoermer 2000;Elewa 2008a;Jones 2009;Ruddimann 2005;Steffen et al. 2007). There is considerable evidence that extinction has been accelerating over the last 500 years; and with the advent of weapons of mass destruction, and industrial poisons, pharmaceuticals, and other wastes which are dumped into the oceans and atmosphere (Levy and Sidel 2009;McKee 2009, Tonn 2009); , it could be said the human race is flirting with self-destruction and may trigger a world-wide mass extinction which could wipe humanity from the face of the Earth (Jones 2009). ...
The history, origins, and causes of mass extinctions, from the creation of our planet to modern times, are detailed. Mass extinctions during the Ordovician, Devonian, Permian, Triassic, and Cretaceous are reviewed, and evidence for mass extinctions prior to and during the Cambrian Explosion are summarized, i.e. the Paleoproterozoic (2.3 to 1.8 bya), the Sturtian (725 mya to 670 mya), the Marinoan/Gaskiers (640 to 580 mya), and the Ediacaran extinctions. Catastrophic conditions which are associated with mass extinctions are also detailed, i.e. global cooling and warming, major glaciation, fluctuations in sea level, global anoxia, volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, plate tectonics, gamma rays, and disease.
... The key driver of destruction of native ecosystems is the growing human population. Contemporary loss of species diversity has been accelerating into a mass extinction, and the threats continue to mount from human agencies (Mckee, 2009). A sixth major extinction is under way due to uncontrolled human behaviour. ...
Diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems altogether constitute biodiversity. Biodiversity is essential for our survival. Anthropogenic biodiversity loss is due to reasons such as unsustainable production and consumption, human population growth, and poverty. Despite various efforts undertaken for conserving biodiversity, nothing significant has been achieved. This study focuses on human behavior for biodiversity loss. The goal of human life is genetic survival through reproduction. The driving force for reproductive success can be explained through natural selection. From an evolutionary perspective, resources acquire intrinsic utility when they enhance the inclusive fitness, called reproductive success. Human behavioral change is required for conserving biodiversity.
Humanity seems to be drifting like a rudderless raft towards a cataract. The main factors are the growth of the human population, the escalation of material expectations, the exploding discrepancies between affluent and marginalised population groups and the impact of these growth processes on the natural environment. The modern claim to mastery, ownership and entitlement and its spectacular successes has led to unprecedented power without a concomitant growth in responsibility. In spiritual and cultural terms, modernity undermines all traditional certainties, values and constraints. The South African population is engulfed in a messy transition from African traditionalist, to modern and postmodern assumptions.
The most reticent citizens are the least competitive and the most marginalised. The Christian faith, rooted as it is in tradition and geared to spiritual concerns, is no match for the power of the modern mindset. To regain its redemptive relevance, it needs fundamental
reconceptualisations. The article closes with a few starting points for such a project.
Humanity seems to be drifting like a rudderless raft towards a cataract. The main factors are the growth of the human population, the escalation of material expectations, the exploding discrepancies between affluent and marginalised population groups and the impact of these growth processes on the natural environment. The modern claim to mastery, ownership and entitlement and its spectacular successes has led to unprecedented power without a concomitant growth in responsibility. In spiritual and cultural terms, modernity undermines all traditional certainties, values and constraints. The South African population is engulfed in a messy transition from African traditionalist, to modern and postmodern assumptions. The most reticent citizens are the least competitive and the most marginalised. The Christian faith, rooted as it is in tradition and geared to spiritual concerns, is no match for the power of the modern mindset. To regain its redemptive relevance, it needs fundamental reconceptualisations. The article closes with a few starting points for such a project.
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