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The Big Five -

Since the first organisms appeared on our planet 3.7 billion years ago, the world has experienced five mass extinction events, known as the “Big Five.” These events have seen the rapid death of multiple species in a relatively short period of time.

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The Ordovician-Silurian extinction -

The first of the five mass extinctions occurred around 440 million years ago. Approximately 85% of marine species perished, which has been attributed to a severe ice age that lowered sea levels and drastically altered marine habitats.

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The Late Devonian extinction -

Around 375 million years ago, the Late Devonian extinction wiped out about 75% of Earth's species, also affecting marine life. The cause of the extinction is still debated, but hypotheses include global cooling, anoxia (lack of oxygen) in oceans, and possible impacts from asteroid or comet activity.

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The Permian-Triassic extinction -

This mass extinction event has also been called the "Great Dying." It occurred about 252 million years ago and is the most severe mass extinction event in Earth's history, having wiped out approximately 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrates.

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Supervolcanoes -

The Great Dying was likely caused by massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia, which led to climate change, ocean acidification, and reduced oxygen levels. This event dramatically altered life on Earth, nearly resetting the planet's biodiversity and setting the stage for the rise of the dinosaurs.

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The Triassic-Jurassic extinction -

The planet’s fourth mass extinction occurred around 201 million years ago and eliminated about 80% of marine life and large amphibians, which paved the way for the dominance of dinosaurs.

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Pangaea -

Many scientists believe that volcanic activity was responsible for the extinction event, which was caused by the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea. This led to climate change, ocean acidification, and a significant increase in carbon dioxide levels.

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The Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction - The last of the Big Five extinction events took place about 66 million years ago, and is famous for wiping out the dinosaurs (except for their avian descendants). This event also saw the extinction of about 75% of Earth's species, including many marine organisms.

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The asteroid -

The most widely accepted cause of the extinction was the impact of a large asteroid in present-day Mexico, which caused massive fires, a "nuclear winter" effect, and subsequent climate changes. This extinction reshaped the course of evolution and allowed mammals to become the dominant land animals.

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The Holocene extinction -

Scientists widely agree that Earth is currently undergoing a sixth mass extinction, driven largely by human activities. Unlike previous extinctions, this one is caused by factors such as habitat destruction, overexploitation of species, pollution, and climate change.

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Statistics -

The current rate of species extinction is estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times higher than the natural rate. This ongoing extinction event threatens to wipe out up to a million species in the coming decades, which would have devastating implications for ecosystems and human survival.

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Habitat destruction -

One of the leading causes of the current mass extinction is the human-led destruction of habitats around the world in order to make way for agriculture. As humans clear forests, drain wetlands, and convert natural landscapes into agricultural and urban areas, countless species lose their homes.

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Overexploitation -

The overexploitation of species (through activities like hunting, fishing, and logging) is another significant driver of the current mass extinction. Many species are being harvested at unsustainable rates, which leads to irreparable population declines.

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Climate change - Climate change is a critical driver of the current mass extinction, altering habitats and ecosystems at a rapid pace. Rising temperatures, changing climate patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events are forcing species to adapt, migrate, or face extinction.

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Deforestation -

Deforestation, especially in tropical rainforests, is a leading cause of the current mass extinction. Forests are home to a vast array of species, many of which are not found anywhere else. When forests are cleared for agriculture, logging, or development, these species lose their habitats and face extinction.

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Carbon dioxide -

Since trees consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen, deforestation also reduces the planet's capacity to absorb this toxic gas. This, in turn, increases the temperature of the planet and creates a cascading effect.

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Ocean acidification -

As carbon emissions increase around the globe, the ocean absorbs CO2 and becomes acidic, which has harmful effects on marine organisms, like corals, mollusks, and some plankton species.

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Coral reefs -

Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, but they are also among the most vulnerable to the current mass extinction. Ocean acidification and water pollution are all taking a heavy toll on coral reefs, leading to widespread bleaching. As coral reefs die, so do the countless species that depend on them for food, shelter, and breeding grounds.

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Amphibians -

Amphibians (such as frogs, toads, and salamanders) are among the most threatened groups in the current mass extinction. They are highly sensitive to environmental changes, making them vulnerable to habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and disease.

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Invasive species -

Another significant contributor to the current mass extinction are invasive species. When humans introduce non-native animal or plant species to new environments, they often outcompete, prey on, or spread diseases to native species, leading to population declines and extinctions.

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Extinction cascades -

Extinction cascades occur when the extinction of one species triggers a chain reaction that leads to the extinction of other species that depend on it. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly common in the current mass extinction, considering ecosystems are highly interconnected.

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Insects - Insects (particularly pollinators like bees and butterflies) are facing dramatic population declines due to habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change. Many plants depend on pollinators for reproduction, and the rapid decline of insect populations has a cascading effect.

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Moral responsibility -

The current mass extinction raises significant ethical and moral questions about humanity's responsibility to other species and the planet. As the primary cause of this crisis, humans have a moral obligation to protect biodiversity and preserve ecosystems for future generations.

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Collective effort -

The future of life on Earth depends on the actions taken by humanity to address the current mass extinction. While the situation is dire, there is still hope. Advances in science and technology offer new tools for preserving species and ecosystems, but this requires a global commitment to address the root causes of extinction.

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Conservation -

Conservation efforts are crucial in mitigating the impacts of the current mass extinction. Protected areas like national parks and wildlife reserves provide safe havens for endangered species and help preserve critical habitats.

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Paris Agreement -

A landmark international treaty known as the Paris Agreement was signed in 2016 as an aim at combating climate change. The agreement seeks to limit global warming to below 1.5°C by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of each country. This would go a long way in stopping a mass extinction.

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30x30 -

Another conservation initiative is 30x30, which is a global conservation goal to protect 30% of the Earth's land and oceans by 2030. It aims to safeguard biodiversity, combat climate change, and preserve ecosystems by expanding protected areas and promoting sustainable land and ocean use.

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Contribution -

Conservation organizations constantly face significant challenges with funding, and they often rely on the contributions of everyday people to continue fighting against the destruction of the planet. It is a seemingly never-ending battle.

Sources: (World Wildlife Fund) (National Institutes of Health) (Understanding Evolution) (Natural History Museum) (The Scientist) (Britannica)

See also: Will this be the first country destroyed by climate change?

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