The Sixth Extinction: Chapter 13

In this chapter, Kolbert visits the Institute for Conservation Research to research the possible outcomes of human action and how it may affect the future. While studying, she questions if it is necessary to get rid of many species in order to make room for humanity. A connection to Darwin's theory is that in order for a species to become part of a new ecosystem, another must become extinct. The seriousness of this issue is presented by Barbara Durrant, who has spent most of her time trying to get endangered crows to reproduce unsuccessfully. I wonder if what’s happening is actually natural and these animals are meant to go extinct no matter how much humans attempt to help them. Kolbert goes on to explain that humans will cause the sixth extinction but what isn’t clear is if we will be able to revert or past actions to prevent these species from extinction. Kolbert ends the book by stating that many scientists argue that humans themselves are running out of time on this planet and should look for another place to inhabit. The problem with this thinking is that it’s absolutely selfish, and it disregards other living creatures on earth. To say the least this book left me absolutely puzzled, it got me thinking more and more of what’s in our control and if by trying to control things or in other words save the planet we are actually driving ourselves insane trying to stop what is natural.