#017 Take Extinction Off Your Plate

You may find it interesting that scientist have a better understanding of how many stars there are in our galaxy than how many species there are on planet Earth. There was a study that was conducted in 1980 in the tropical forests in Panama. This one study included only 19 trees.  There were 1,200 beetle species that were noted in this study and 80% of those species were previously unknown. 

What this means is that we truly have no idea what is actually out there. Consequently, we have no idea how many species we are loosing each year simply due to the natural extinction rate that would occur if we humans were never even around.

There have been at least five mass extinction waves, some say six, that are known due to examining geologic history. However, what most people do not know is that we are now experiencing another mass extinction event.  But, unlike any other mass extinction event recorded in geologic history, the current extinction challenge is one in which a single species appears to be wholly responsible, and that species is human beings.

I am willing to bet that you had no idea that what is on your dinner plate is helping to drive that extinction rate. Listen to the full episode and find out why and what you can do about that.  

Always live sustainably because this is how we build a better future. 

Patrick