Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
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Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
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Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#2> people are precipitating "a global spasm of biodiversity loss."
Nevermind that, according to them, mass extinctions happened already five times, and humans had nothing to do with those. But now, when it supposedly happens for a sixth time, it's our fault.
> To history's steady drumbeat, a human population growing in numbers, per capita consumption and economic inequity has altered or destroyed natural habitats. The long list of impacts includes: Land clearing for farming, logging and settlement
All these evil humans, farming and logging and settling, destroying all the other species. If only the humans would go away, then the other species could live in peace.
Notice:
> a human population growing in numbers, per capita consumption and economic inequity
Could the anti-human, pro-population control, pro-communism spin be any more transparent?
I guess they're safe, since they're the intellectuals pulling the strings. After all, if the "population" of "researchers" were controlled, who would be around to tell everyone else how to survive? It's everyone else, consuming and inequitizing, that is causing the problems and needs to be reduced and reequitized and controlled.
Edit: Of course HN is predominantly left-leaning, so here come the downvotes. Not big surprise. It's not necessary to promote the right side of the spectrum to get in trouble, just criticize the left side.
Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#3> people are precipitating "a global spasm of biodiversity loss." Nevermind that, according to them, mass extinctions happened already five times, and humans had nothing to do with those. But now, when it supposedly happens for a sixth time, it's our fault. > To history's steady drumbeat, a human population growing in numbers, per capita consumption and economic inequity has altered or destroyed natural habitats. The…
> But now, when it supposedly happens for a sixth time, it's our fault.
Well, current thinking is that the dinosaurs went extinct when a meteorite hit the earth. Absent a large rock or other large-scale disaster, the rate of species disappearing really does need explanation.
Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#4> people are precipitating "a global spasm of biodiversity loss." Nevermind that, according to them, mass extinctions happened already five times, and humans had nothing to do with those. But now, when it supposedly happens for a sixth time, it's our fault. > To history's steady drumbeat, a human population growing in numbers, per capita consumption and economic inequity has altered or destroyed natural habitats. The…
> But now, when it supposedly happens for a sixth time, it's our fault. Well, current thinking is that the dinosaurs went extinct when a meteorite hit the earth. Absent a large rock or other large-scale disaster, the rate of species disappearing really does need explanation.
What about the other four times?
Is it not possible that there are natural forces and cycles at work, far larger than we can comprehend or control?
The climate is our fault, the species are our fault--everything is humanity's fault, clearly. I guess we should all go live on the asteroids where there's nothing but rock. But then we'd be guilty of ruining a perfectly good asteroid belt...
So I guess the "greenest" solution is to load all of our consciousnesses into computers run on electricity generated by solar panels and wind power. Or maybe just solar power, in space. Surely then humans could be absolved of their guilt for ruining everything.
Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#5People, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, dogs, cats.
Corn, wheat, rice.
What else do you need?
I've been out driving across Europe for the past year. What strikes you about Europe is that almost every square meter of it is man controlled. The most wildlife they have are a few deer and wild boar. Even squirrels are rare.
Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#6This is the same Paul Ehrlich known for his dire, alarmist predictions about overpopulation in the late 60s that mostly did not come to pass https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_R._Ehrlich#Reception . His history doesn't necessarily mean he's wrong in this case but it's worth being aware of when evaluating his claims.
Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#7> people are precipitating "a global spasm of biodiversity loss." Nevermind that, according to them, mass extinctions happened already five times, and humans had nothing to do with those. But now, when it supposedly happens for a sixth time, it's our fault. > To history's steady drumbeat, a human population growing in numbers, per capita consumption and economic inequity has altered or destroyed natural habitats. The…
Do you want to know why you're getting downvotes?
Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#8> people are precipitating "a global spasm of biodiversity loss." Nevermind that, according to them, mass extinctions happened already five times, and humans had nothing to do with those. But now, when it supposedly happens for a sixth time, it's our fault. > To history's steady drumbeat, a human population growing in numbers, per capita consumption and economic inequity has altered or destroyed natural habitats. The…
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Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#9> people are precipitating "a global spasm of biodiversity loss." Nevermind that, according to them, mass extinctions happened already five times, and humans had nothing to do with those. But now, when it supposedly happens for a sixth time, it's our fault. > To history's steady drumbeat, a human population growing in numbers, per capita consumption and economic inequity has altered or destroyed natural habitats. The…
Do you want to know why you're getting downvotes?
According to HN theory, your post should be downvoted. It doesn't add anything to the discussion.
The downvotes are no surprise. That's what one gets for expressing an unpopular opinion. It's disappointing, though, for people to downvote instead of responding with counter-arguments. But, again, no surprise.
Re: Stanford researcher declares that the sixth mass extinction is here
#10The hard data will be more objectively assessed if coming from someone other than Paul Ehrlich:
In the 1970’s the world will undergo famines – hundreds of millions of people are going to starve to death” and “[our children] will inherit a totally different world, a world in which the standards, politics, and economics of the 1960’s are dead.”