A response to:
Ceballos, G., & Ehrlich, P. R. (2023). Mutilation of the tree of life via mass extinction of animal genera. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(39), e2306987120. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2306987120
We wouldn’t be facing mass extinction if we were nicer and more kind to the other animals. We may already be too late to save very many humans; which of us might survive will be a matter of luck. Our only real hope is a planet-wide decision to halt our exploitation of animals. That seems unlikely, but all of us have the option of embracing a low-impact vegan life style. We could, if we choose to, take personal steps to slow, maybe even reverse, this otherwise likely calamity.
But maybe, if we look at the big picture and consider the gazillions of animals who would thrive if humans were no longer around, maybe it would be best if we ignore or deride the predicted likely future. If we do nothing to avoid the worse case scenario, many animals are likely to benefit.
It seems to come down to this: If you want humanity to survive, you’ll have to embrace veganism. You’ll have to limit yourself to having only one child, or better, none. You’ll have to avoid air travel. You should plant a vegetable garden and dramatically reduce your consumption of almost all commercial products. If possible, bicycle rather than drive. Use mass transit. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
It seems likely that few of us will do very many of these things, and in a twisted sort of way, for the animals, maybe that’s a good thing.
