Is the earth only for humans?

 The earth is not only for humans

 

The earth has millions of species, but only one species dominates the globe. 

Soon, humans will reach a population of 10 billion. Our growing population and our activities reduced the space for other species. 

 

The Illusion of belonging to the earth, and being special

 

Humans did not live on the earth forever, our species evolved and appeared in nature only 2 million years ago. The number of humans was very less earlier. We have this illusion that the earth is only for us, and we are special. But we have disastrous role on the planet earth. We created more problem as we grew in absence of predators and survival skills.

As per the data- there were only a couple of millions of humans 10000 years ago. Two hundred years ago we reached the population of one billion.

By 1950- we were 3 billion, and as per the United Nations report published on 15^th November 2022, the world reached the population of 8 billion.

 

Is the earth only for humans?

 

Humans always thought that – they were the most important in any situation, and are the superior sentients.  Sentients are being who are capable of sensing or feeling things through physical senses, and only human does not come in this category. 

Culturally, we believed so for a long period, however, with time we have come to know about the importance of other species. We depend upon them for many things including our existence.

Humans have become the reason for the disappearance of countless species fundamentally due to agriculture. It caused the deforestation, and extinction of many natural species. Other reasons are industrialization and economic growth.

One of the most recent understandings about the environment is that – the earth is not for humans alone. All other species have the right to live. The ecological, and environmental impact of not considering the right to life for other species is much higher than any other economic impact.

The earth belongs to everyone – reptiles, foxes, and every other creature.  

 

What did humans do?

 

Many of the species which include animals and plants have become extinct.  Every species plays its role in nature and its ecosystem, however, humans have done almost nothing to benefit the earth. Our activities have damaged the environment and made it less hospitable for other species. In fact, we are responsible for the sixth mass extinction. 

What is the sixth mass extinction?

 

The sixth mass extinction is also known as the Anthropocene Extinction.  The estimation is that humans are responsible for increasing normal extinction. We have a higher ecological footprint.

The Sixth Mass extinction is because of reducing the population of wild animals by 50 percent. 

 

 Is it possible: Humans can lead to self-extinction?

 

Yes, it is possible.

If we keep on the extinction of other species.  Human Population has swelled to 7.5 billion, and our existence has a devastating impact on mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, marine life, and forest.

The worldwide fund estimates that the population of vertebrates has fallen by an average of 60 percent since 1970.

America lost 900 million rusty patch bumblebees.

There are 26, 500 species threatened with extinction according to the IUCN (International Union for the conservation of nature).

The earth has supported the life of other species, and the last mass extinction happened 66 million years ago when a massive asteroid hit the earth and wiped out dinosaurs.

Extinction is happening at a rapid rate, and 99 percent of species living on the earth are gone, and this is alarming.

The loss of species can have a catastrophic impact on the food chain, and that can lead to human extinction as well.

The Ocean reef, which contributes to 25 percent of marine life, has been reduced by 50 percent since 1970.

Insects are also important, and they pollinate the crop. The population of insects also have been reduced.

 

 What is the international step to implement harmony with nature?

 

The Kyoto protocol followed the tenet of balance between nature and all living beings for sustaining the well-being of the planet and the current and future generations of mankind.

It was an international treaty that extended the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It enforces the signatory parties to reduce greenhouse emissions.

As global warming happened due to man-made CO2 emissions. However, this is one aspect of creating balance.

Can Human Live without other species?

 

All species play an important role in nature, and without other species, the earth and the environment can not sustain.  The sooner we understand the importance of other species, the better it is going to be.