Damian Carrington Environment editor Mon 10 Jul 2017 15 00

Last updated: 5/15/2023

Damian Carrington Environment editor Mon 10 Jul 2017 15 00 EDT Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 12 10 EST P1 A biological annihilation of wildlife in recent decades means a sixth mass extinction in Earth s history is under way and is more severe than previously feared according to research Scientists Warn Researchers talk of biological annihilation as study reveals billions of populations of animals have been lost in recent decades Scientists analyzed both common and rare species and found billions of regional or local P2 populations have been lost They blame human overpopulation and overconsumption for the crisis and warn that it threatens the survival of human civilization with just a short window of time in which to act P3 P4 The study published in the peer reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences eschews the normally sober tone of scientific papers and calls the massive loss of wildlife a biological annihilation that represents a frightening assault on the foundations of human civilization Prof Gerardo Ceballos at the Universidad Nacional Aut noma de M xico who led the work said The situation has become so bad it would not be ethical not to use strong language Previous studies have shown species are becoming extinct at a significantly faster rate than for millions of years before but even so extinctions remain relatively rare giving the impression of a P5 gradual loss of biodiversity The new work instead takes a broader view assessing many common species which are losing populations all over the world as their ranges shrink but remain present elsewhere QUESTION 1 Are species becoming extinct at a significantly faster rate What evidence supports this The article says that species becoming extinct at a significantly faster rate A quote from the article to support this can be found in paragraph The quote is My answer for Question 1