There was an interesting article in The Daily Telegraph this week, written by Roger Highfield. In summary, it says that there is a decline in the numbers of butterflies and that this points to a sixth mass extinction of species - and that (surprise, surprise!!) man is the dominant agent of destruction.

An accelerating decline in species, in particular a fall in butterflies, provides the first hard evidence that the Earth is on the verge of a sixth mass extinction. There have been at least five over the past 500 million years, with the biggest occurring 250 million years ago.

Scientists report today that species diversity is falling fast and, contrary to current opinion, insects are particularly hard hit. This indicates that scientists may have underestimated the magnitude of the pending extinction. If they are correct, the Earth is heading for the first global wipe-out with an organic cause, with humans being the dominant agent of destruction. Earlier extinctions were triggered by volcanism, cosmic impacts and other physical causes.

Britain, by virtue of its well-known and well-studied biodiversity, is the ‘canary’ for the rest of the globe. Around 28% of our 1,254 native plant species have significantly fallen in abundance in the past 40 years, 54% of the 201 native bird species over two decades, and 71% of our 58 butterfly species over the same period.

One form of life has become so dominant on Earth that, through its over-exploitation and waste, it eats, destroys or poisons the others. This decline is accelerating.”

Makes you think, doesn’t it?!?

There will soon be a section for Conservation within Free Spirits.
If you work in the area of conservation, or you have a special interest in it, it will be a pleasure to include your details in that section.

Robert Mason



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