Statistics demonstrate that the extinction rates of animal species are much higher than had been predicted only a few years ago. Scientists are warning of an alarming increase in the extinction rates because of threats to biodiversity and ecosystems posed by pollution, climate change and urban spread.
Freshwater species are most affected, becoming extinct six times faster than their terrestrial and marine cousins. Some of the experts predict that by 2025 not a single river in China will reach the sea – except during floods.
As usual the warnings fall on deaf ears: those of politicians, businesses and us (consumers). If we don’t change our behaviour we will suffer the pain of the disintegration of nature and death within a few decades. Soon enough to matter, but far enough in the future that we do not care enough to do anything about our overconsumption of the planet.
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