Well, I’ve obviously been very busy ‘elsewhere’ – so not much activity on this site.
I’m told by the authority of GOD – apparently – that life on earth began ~6000 years ago. This means that dinosaurs did not exist millions of years ago – and that their fossils are all fake. Apparently a sizeable proportion of people do not accept evolution. I’m not into a debate on whether ‘that’s just in America’.
In Upsetting Drake (May 2024) I created a new SCE equation for the improbability of intelligent life emerging on planet earth.
In this article, I read that:
Sixty-six million years ago a 10-kilometer-wide space rock fell out of the sky over what is now the Yucatán Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico. When it hit Earth, it blew a Maryland-sized hole in the crust, igniting global firestorms and killing off some 75 percent of species. For the dinosaurs it drove to extinction, the event was effectively the end of the world. But from the ashes survivors arose—our mammalian ancestors—beginning a vibrant new era in Earth’s history. Today this catastrophic impact is considered a cosmic act of creative destruction, one without which we humans would not exist...
So the evidence hits me again.
Extinctions – major and minor
There is hard evidence for five periods in Earth’s history of mass extinctions and four other periods of minor extinctions. Those were directed by nature – or the universe, unless of course you believe that’s impossible because it is not in a holy scripture somewhere.
From research findable on the ‘information superhighway’ (aka internet):
| Major Extinctions | Minor Extinctions | |
|---|---|---|
| Magnitude | >75% of species lost globally, affecting a wide range of organisms. | <75% of species lost, often with a more localized or specialized impact. |
| Ecosystem Impact | Widespread disruption of ecosystems, major shifts in dominant life forms, reshaping the evolutionary trajectory of life. | Less dramatic impact on ecosystems; can cause local extinctions and shifts in species dominance, but less global upheaval. |
| Duration | Can occur rapidly (geologically speaking) or over a longer period. The key is the dramatic loss of biodiversity within a specific timeframe. | Might unfold over longer periods with a more gradual decline in species diversity. |
| Causes | Often linked to catastrophic events like massive volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, or rapid climate change. | Can be triggered by various factors, including climate fluctuations, sea level changes, volcanic activity, or competition. |
| Description | Ordovician-Silurian Extinction (about 443 million years ago): 85% of marine species extinct Late Devonian Extinction (about 375 million years ago): 75% of species extinct Permian-Triassic Extinction (about 252 million years ago): 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrates extinct Triassic-Jurassic Extinction (about 201 million years ago): 80% of species extinct Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction (about 66 million years ago): 76% of plant and animal species extinct | Late Cambrian Extinction (about 488 million years ago): Affected trilobites and brachiopods. Early Jurassic Extinction (about 183 million years ago): Impacted ammonites and early dinosaurs. Eocene-Oligocene Extinction (about 34 million years ago): Impacted marine and terrestrial mammals. Pleistocene Megafauna Extinction (about 10,000 years ago): Large mammals like mammoths went extinct. |
Despite these catastrophic events that wiped out so many species, life on Earth has an incredible ability to recover and diversify. And ultimately, this led to the emergence of humans.
Connecting extinctions to the rise of humans
- Creating opportunities: Mass extinctions, while devastating, create ecological niches and opportunities for new species to evolve and thrive. The extinction of the dinosaurs, for example, allowed mammals to diversify and occupy new habitats, eventually leading to the evolution of primates and, ultimately, humans.
- Evolutionary pressure: Extinctions can act as a selective pressure, favoring organisms with traits that help them survive and adapt to changing environments. This can accelerate the evolutionary process and lead to the emergence of new species with unique characteristics.
- A Long Story: The emergence of humans is the culmination of a long and complex evolutionary history, shaped by both extinction events and periods of gradual change. Each extinction event played a role in shaping the trajectory of life on Earth, paving the way for the eventual rise of our species.
Disrespect
It’s a tragic paradox that the very intelligence and adaptability that allowed humans to thrive are now contributing to the destruction of our planet and the loss of countless other species.
What we we doing?!
- Extinctions: We’re driving species to extinction at an alarming rate through habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation.
- Pollution: We’re contaminating our air, water, and land with harmful pollutants, impacting ecosystems and human health.
- Climate change: Our greenhouse gas emissions are causing the planet to warm, leading to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems.
- Ozone depletion: While we’ve made progress in addressing ozone depletion, the past release of harmful chemicals has damaged this protective layer, increasing our exposure to harmful UV radiation.
- Nuclear threat: The possibility of nuclear war, however small, looms as a catastrophic threat to humanity and the planet.
| Environmental Challenge | The Goal | The Reality | How Late Are We? |
| Climate Change | Limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. | On track for around 2.5°C of warming by the end of the century, even with current pledges. Consequences include more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and sea-level rise. | Already experiencing impacts. Some changes, like melting glaciers and sea-level rise, are irreversible. Very narrow window to drastically reduce emissions and avoid the worst consequences. |
| Biodiversity Loss | Halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity, protecting endangered species and ecosystems. | Extinction rates are accelerating. Habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution are driving this crisis. | Already lost a significant portion of biodiversity, and some ecosystems may be beyond repair. Urgent action can still prevent further extinctions and protect remaining habitats. |
| Pollution | Reduce pollution levels to protect human health and the environment. | Air, water, and soil pollution continue to be major problems, causing health problems and damaging ecosystems. | While progress has been made in some areas, pollution levels remain dangerously high in many parts of the world. Addressing this requires a systemic shift towards cleaner technologies and sustainable practices. |
| Overall Assessment | Create a sustainable future where humans and nature thrive in harmony. | Consequences of inaction are being felt, and the window for effective action is closing. Requires unprecedented global cooperation, rapid technological innovation, and significant lifestyle changes to mitigate the worst impacts and create a sustainable future. | We are late in addressing environmental challenges. |
Conclusion
It is highly probable that without all those extinction events, the evolutionary trajectory of life on Earth would have been vastly different, and humans, as we know them, might not have evolved at all. It is awe-inspiring to consider that we are here today because of the resilience of life in the face of these extinction events. It highlights the interconnectedness of all living things and the remarkable ability of life to adapt and evolve over vast stretches of time.
Our journey as a species has been a remarkable one, a testament to life’s resilience and adaptability. Emerging from the crucible of extinction events that reshaped the planet, humans rose to become the dominant force on Earth. We developed complex societies, intricate technologies, and a profound capacity for thought and creativity. Yet, somewhere along the way, we lost sight of a fundamental truth: our inextricable connection to the planet that birthed us.
We have polluted the very air we breathe, contaminated the water that sustains us, and ravaged the land that nourishes us. We have driven countless species to the brink of extinction, disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems that took millions of years to evolve. Our insatiable appetite for resources and our relentless pursuit of progress have left a trail of destruction across the globe.
The evidence of our disregard is undeniable: a climate in crisis, a planet choking on pollution, and a biodiversity crisis that threatens the very foundation of life on Earth. The consequences of our actions are no longer a distant threat; they are unfolding before our eyes in the form of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and mass extinctions.
We stand at a precipice, the future of our planet hanging in the balance. The time for complacency is over. We must rediscover our respect for the Earth, recognize our place within the intricate web of life, and embrace our responsibility to protect the planet for future generations. The path forward will not be easy, but it is a journey we must undertake if we are to ensure our own survival and honor the legacy of life that has preceded us.
The choice is ours: continue down a path of destruction or forge a new path, one that respects the delicate balance of nature and ensures a sustainable future for all. The time to act is now, before it truly is too late.
