“Our planet is now in the midst of its sixth mass extinction of plants and animals — the sixth wave of extinctions in the past half-billion years. We’re currently experiencing the worst spate of species die-offs since the loss of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
Although extinction is a natural phenomenon, it occurs at a natural “background” rate of about one to five species per year. Scientists estimate we’re now losing species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the background rate, with literally dozens going extinct every day.”
Source: The Extinction Crisis, Center for Biological Diversity, biologicaldiversity.org
Without insects and other land-based arthropods, EO Wilson, the renowned Harvard entomologist, estimates that humanity would last all of a few months.
Even if this were the only problem facing us (it isn't), it would be enough to prompt some serious questions about where civilization is headed, and then consider some serious solutions, like radically changing the way we do everything.
You can't separate the way we live from the challenges we face, like Insectageddon. There are better ways of doing things that respect all life on Earth, and if we are to save ourselves, we will need to adopt them, and soon.
First insecticide, then ecocide, then humanicide. As they go, so go we.
Every time I see a bee or butterfly in our garden I say a (non-religious) prayer of gratitude.
ReplyDeleteI think the home garden may be a big part of the solution. I have never seen so many lady birds in my garden as this Spring, and I do believe it is because I have been building up the soil. The same goes for bees, and I am still dreaming of my own bee hives. In the meantime, I make sure I have plenty of flowers that bees like. Native birds also love to come into my garden and find a meal there.
ReplyDeleteI still believe 'the personal is political' and that it is more likely citizens will solve our problems than governments. That said, it is important we continue to make our views heard. It does not take long to send off a letter or email.
Madeleine