|
DividedQuantum
Outer Head


Registered: 12/06/13
Posts: 9,819
|
the sixth mass extinction is officially here 1
#21832058 - 06/20/15 11:22 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
There is no longer any doubt: we are entering a mass extinction that threatens humanity’s existence.
That’s the conclusion of a new study by a group of scientists including Paul Ehrlich, the Bing Professor of Population Studies in biology and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Ehrlich and his co-authors call for fast action to conserve threatened species, populations and habitat, but warn that the window of opportunity is rapidly closing.
“[The study] shows without any significant doubt that we are now entering the sixth great mass extinction event,” Ehrlich said.
Although most well known for his positions on human population, Ehrlich has done extensive work on extinctions going back to his 1981 book, Extinction: The Causes and Consequences of the Disappearance of Species. He has long tied his work on coevolution, on racial, gender and economic justice, and on nuclear winter with the issue of wildlife populations and species loss.
According to the study, there is general agreement among scientists that extinction rates have reached levels unparalleled since the dinosaurs died out 66 million years ago. However, some have challenged the theory, believing earlier estimates rested on assumptions that overestimated the crisis.
The new study, published (open-access) in the journal Science Advances, shows that even with extremely conservative estimates, species are disappearing up to about 100 times faster than the normal rate between mass extinctions, known as the background rate.

http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-sixth-mass-extinction-is-here-say-stanford-researchers
Not that it's really news, but I thought I'd share. Anyone care to comment?
|
MinnesnowtaNice
FriendofHagrid


Registered: 09/18/13
Posts: 1,316
Last seen: 1 year, 10 months
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum]
#21832065 - 06/20/15 11:25 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
-------------------- we are all thought forms in a cloud of synchronistic events.
|
Hippocampus



Registered: 04/01/15
Posts: 753
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum] 1
#21833190 - 06/20/15 05:36 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
It's probably news to many people. But many scientists have long suspected that we are in the midst of a mass extinction event and that humans are mostly to blame. So this new study is just more evidence for that theory.
Erhlich I think has been trying to raise awareness.
If the more extreme doomsday predictions turn out to be true it's going to be a tough pill for all of humanity to swallow. Personally, I have no reason to doubt we're causing mass extinction. But current solutions to the issue are not fun. How difficult would it be to not only stop the exponential growth of humanity, but reverse it? Perhaps Homo sapiens' survival chances would be better off by trying to get off this planet.
This is all just conjecture. Even though I have no reason to doubt the human caused mass extinction it doesn't mean I buy into it wholesale either. But it's much more interesting to think about than Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
|
circastes
Big Questions Small Head



Registered: 01/14/10
Posts: 8,781
Loc: straya
Last seen: 7 years, 8 months
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: Hippocampus] 1
#21833743 - 06/20/15 08:09 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Gene Wilder will save us.
-------------------- My solitude... My shield... My armour... TESTED WITH FULL FORCE
|
OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: circastes]
#21833753 - 06/20/15 08:12 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
There are still a few hippies left in the remote wilderness.
--------------------
|
Diploid
Cuban



Registered: 01/09/03
Posts: 19,274
Loc: Rabbit Hole
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: OrgoneConclusion] 1
#21834052 - 06/20/15 09:20 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
I heard they're being poached for their crystals.
-------------------- Republican Values: 1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you. 2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child. 3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer. 4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.
|
Rahz
Alive Again



Registered: 11/10/05
Posts: 9,230
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum] 1
#21834370 - 06/20/15 10:24 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
DividedQuantum said: Not that it's really news, but I thought I'd share. Anyone care to comment?
No it's not news as it's been going on for many decades. Primarily due to human encroachment rather than CO2 emissions. I've commented several times that for the last 10 years, since about the time CO2 became an issue (whether coincidence or not I don't know) the mainstream media has been virtually silent on the topic.
-------------------- rahz comfort pleasure power love truth awareness peace "You’re not looking close enough if you can only see yourself in people who look like you." —Ayishat Akanbi
|
DividedQuantum
Outer Head


Registered: 12/06/13
Posts: 9,819
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: Rahz] 2
#21834403 - 06/20/15 10:32 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Rahz said: No it's not news as it's been going on for many decades. Primarily due to human encroachment rather than CO2 emissions. I've commented several times that for the last 10 years, since about the time CO2 became an issue (whether coincidence or not I don't know) the mainstream media has been virtually silent on the topic.
Yeah, great point. It does seem that whatever the mainstream media covers as far as environmental issues inevitably has to do with climate change, when there are other real ecological threats facing our planet which are decidedly more multifaceted than that. I'm sure no one will see anything of this on MSNBC, CNN or Fox. I guess the public feeds on what is put on its plate.
-------------------- Vi Veri Universum Vivus Vici
|
Hippocampus



Registered: 04/01/15
Posts: 753
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum] 1
#21834644 - 06/20/15 11:30 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
It's 'cause it hasn't been politicized. If the issue could somehow be split down party lines it would be much more interesting. But this time could the conservatives support legislation to curb mass extinction and the liberals be the deniers?
|
usulpsychonaut


Registered: 05/12/08
Posts: 2,814
Loc: Northland, New Zealand.
Last seen: 2 years, 2 months
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum]
#21835570 - 06/21/15 05:57 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Nothing to worry about. The world has been about to end all my life. I'm completely immune to extinction.
|
usulpsychonaut


Registered: 05/12/08
Posts: 2,814
Loc: Northland, New Zealand.
Last seen: 2 years, 2 months
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum]
#21835577 - 06/21/15 06:04 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Seriously man, climate change recently killed a woman's dog.
Or perhaps climate change is killing science.
Edited by usulpsychonaut (06/21/15 06:06 AM)
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum]
#24444664 - 06/29/17 01:39 PM (6 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Learned about this about 5, 6 years ago and changed my lifestyle 100%.
I was already very non materialistic, but I went much, much further since. It's been a beautiful journey!
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
DividedQuantum
Outer Head


Registered: 12/06/13
Posts: 9,819
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum]
#24444699 - 06/29/17 01:54 PM (6 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Global wildlife populations have fallen by 58% since 1970, a report says.
The Living Planet assessment, by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and WWF, suggests that if the trend continues that decline could reach two-thirds among vertebrates by 2020.
The figures suggest that animals living in lakes, rivers and wetlands are suffering the biggest losses.
Human activity, including habitat loss, wildlife trade, pollution and climate change contributed to the declines.
Dr Mike Barrett. head of science and policy at WWF, said: "It's pretty clear under 'business as usual' we will see continued declines in these wildlife populations. But I think now we've reached a point where there isn't really any excuse to let this carry on.
"We know what the causes are and we know the scale of the impact that humans are having on nature and on wildlife populations - it really is now down to us to act."
...
The researchers conclude that vertebrate populations are declining by an average of 2% each year, and warn that if nothing is done, wildlife populations could fall by 67% (below 1970 levels) by the end of the decade.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37775622
-------------------- Vi Veri Universum Vivus Vici
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: DividedQuantum]
#24444763 - 06/29/17 02:24 PM (6 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
Einstein
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
|
|
Quote:
once in a lifetime said: "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
Einstein
I doubt he said this. Do you have a solid source other than a parroting on a vegetarian website?
--------------------
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
#24444852 - 06/29/17 02:58 PM (6 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Looks like they sourced it here.
https://ivu.org/history/northam20a/einstein.html
Including the phrase, funnily enough, 'Now there is a solid source for the quote'
It may be a different -
Yes. The site says it is probably not correct.
'Most beneficially affect" etc. was correct.
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
|
|
The main reason I did not believe the quote is, that even though a physicist, Einstein was extremely unlikely to completely misunderstand evolution.
--------------------
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
#24444946 - 06/29/17 03:23 PM (6 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
It's in the past.
So you play backgammon still? That's very cool that you played for high stakes. I love that game.
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
|
|
https://www.wired.com/1994/12/expert-backgammon/
This was my program written in the 90s. My program trounced IBMs in the World Computer Cup (1992?) They had a full team running on a powerful minicomputer. There was just me running on a lowly 386 PC. Beat them 7-2.
I have no mention in the AI hall of fame.

One year I made it into the top 20 in the world.
Ands no, I haven't played in quite a long time. Burned out. Almost all big money backgammon relationships end badly.
--------------------
|
once in a lifetime
sun child



Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 1,807
|
Re: the sixth mass extinction is officially here [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
#24445004 - 06/29/17 03:45 PM (6 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
I can understand..
It's a beautiful game though.
Gun Hansen switched careers. Bill Robertie played chess, as well as backgammon.
I won't say maybe - if enough people wanted to revive it, popularity speaking, I know it could make a comeback.
-------------------- Innocent, Oldfield & Hegerland Julia Delaney, Bothy Band Rasta Girl, Sister Carol Genesis, Jorma K I Wish You Peace, Lawrence Laughing Do Your Thing, Moondog large . . music garden . . veryall peace them hiStarhouse - main Time Traveler's Guide
|
|