Here we are at the dawn of the new century, and the earth needs our help. Did you know that there are currently over 24,000 species that are endangered and threatened? Unless we do something, they will disappear from the face of the earth forever. A biologist at Harvard University believes at least 4,000 to 6,000 species become extinct every year just as a result of the destruction of the tropical rainforest. Worldwide extinction could be much higher. Peter Raven, director of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, believes species are becoming extinct at the rate of 100 per day. Some estimates indicate that perhaps as much as one-fifth of all the species on earth today will have vanished by the end of this century!
On our beautiful planet earth all plants and animals depend on each other to survive. Human beings are tied to this chain of life. Species are the backbone of a healthy ecosystem such as coral reefs, coastal estuaries, prairie grasslands, and ancient forests. These ecosystems purify our air, clean our water, and supply our food. In addition, we benefit greatly from the many medicines and other products that biodiversity provides. When species become endangered, it is a sign that our ecosystem is in trouble. By endangering wildlife, we are endangering ourselves.
The disappearance of endangered species is a planetary catastrophe, for along with each and every species that die out, go the other elements of its ecosystem. These are components that are crucial to Earth's life-support system.
But the question is, do we, as humans, have the right to kill other animals, and push organisms to extinction? Are we really the only important life form and do we alone decide whether others should live or die? David Ehrenfeld, in his book The Arrogance of Humanism, says this is the ultimate form of arrogance. Because we do have the power to destroy them, we must, in fact, show compassion and respect the rights of other organism of earth, and not turn our backs on them.
How do we humans endanger species? Many different factors work together to result in biological destruction. We use up natural resources at an alarming rate. This is because human population is increasing at such a rate that we are constantly in need of more food, more room, and more water. Farms, cities, highways, and towns are spreading across the planet and driving species out of their habitats. This makes it difficult for wildlife to find the type of food it needs to eat, water to drink, and a place to live. Hunting, loss of habitat, and pollution are all great factors, but the final push over the edge comes from the reduction of the species ability to adapt to the loss. They need our help to rebuild their habitats, restock their populations, and restore their worlds natural order.
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