Interest rates are up, and the stock market is down, but one would never know it by the continuation of building projects and human expansion. Not just locally, but across our state, across our nation, and across the world, “growthmania” is consuming the landscape. In 1970, the human population of the world was around 3.5 billion people. Today, it hovers over 8 billion, and still spiraling.
In what year would you guess the human population would grow too large for the Earth to sustain? Would you guess 2050? Perhaps the 2150? To win this bet, you must digress to 1970. That’s right, we reached peak sustainability 53 years ago. But you might say, “hey, we’re all still here.” True, but at what cost are we “surviving” and whom and what is paying the price?
Species, both plant and animal, are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. A World Wildlife Fund study found that in the past 50 years, the abundance of global wildlife has collapsed 69%. Mostly because of too many people and too much consumption. By consumption, I don’t just mean in the literal sense at the dinner table, but by consuming the land as well. To maintain our current lifestyles, it will take five more “Earths” to supply the resources required to make up for the loss of biodiversity we are wiping out at light speed velocities. With our current rate of loss of wildlife, flora, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and fresh water, we are on a path for a crisis of mass extinction on a scale not seen since prehistoric times. Are we in the midst of the collapse of nature? Is this alarming to you? You should be alarmed.
Starvation of humanity was predicted a half century ago. However, with the green revolution and through innovative technology, we dodged this bullet, at least for now. Hunger is still widespread, but this becomes a political issue, which will be held for a discussion later. Regarding our vanishing wild, however, humanity has taken over 70% of the land and 70% of the freshwater. The underlying factor is, we, as a people, are still growing.
So, will we lose a large percentage of our wildlife through extinction over time? We know the rate of mass extinction is extraordinarily high because of fossil records. First though, let’s define mass extinction. Mass extinction can be defined when at least 75% of the known species has disappeared from the earth. Does this seem extreme? Do you think there is no way this could ever happen? There are five times in Earth’s history where there was mass extinction. The last time this occurred was 66 million years ago with the dinosaurs. Research suggests today’s rate of extinction is up to 100 times faster than is typical in the nearly 4-billion-year history of life. Whether you agree with me or not, the data is rock solid.
The largest decline in wildlife populations have been in Latin America (94%), followed by the Asia-Pacific (45%). The World Wildlife Fund is unequivocal in blaming human activity for the destruction of wildlife populations. Humans have altered 75% of the Earth’s ice-free land surface making vast tracts unsuitable for wildlife sustainability. Forests are being burned and pushed in a pile by bulldozers to make land suitable for mankind and agriculture. Many times, we refer to this as progress or growth. Maybe it’s time we re-define what is important in the real scheme of life.
Is there any hope that the direction we are headed in can be reversed? It is possible to reverse the destruction of wildlife species, but first we need to realize and admit that our survival is based on the survival of other species. How many times has a species been lost and another species takes its place? There are always ramifications when “change” in nature occurs. Will the elk in Yellowstone become extinct from the introduction of wolves into this great national park? Through technology in agriculture, we have eliminated pest species only to realize another, perhaps even more destructive pest, takes its place. Keep in mind, these are on an extremely small scale compared to a mass displacement of numerous species.
At the risk of being ridiculed, I will elaborate more on how we are pushing wildlife species into a corner. I can’t help but notice the continuation of subdivision growth right here at home. Before I go too far, I need a home too, and yes, timber was cut, land was cleared, and streets were paved, so I would have a place to live. I’m not throwing rocks in a glass house, but where does it stop? Will we continue to push and push until there is no clear stream or pristine hardwood bottom? Every time I pass by the Amazon distribution center on Highway 22, I can’t help but wonder where did all the turkeys, squirrels, and rabbits go when their homes were disrupted by this huge plant? Just think of the immense expansion as more and more people extend their range in search of a place to live.
You do know the problem, don’t you? Human populations are out of control and the demand to sustain more, and more, and more, people are unsustainable. The truth is this is utterly hopeless. Just as the United Nations agreed in 2010 to save nature from mass extinction, not one goal has been met to address our dilemma. I’m not an eternal pessimist, but in this case, I do lean more this way than being optimistic. I suspect that our wildlife, fisheries, and flora, will suffer greatly in the long term.
Do you agree with me? If you don’t agree, then please shed some light on not only which direction you think we will go, but more importantly, what steps will be implemented to not only save our precious resources but ourselves as well.
I can’t wait to hear what solutions you come up with. Until next time enjoy our woods and waters and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it.
