Sixth extinction

Earth May Be Facing Another Mass Extinction Very Soon

Upon hearing the phrase "mass extinction," one usually thinks of the dinosaurs (no love for the archosaurs who died out during Permian-Triassic extinction, I guess). But scientists have recently compiled research about vertebrate extinctions happening right now. Their alarming discoveries suggest that the sixth mass extinction is upon us, which could mean the end of life as we know it.
Prior to this, Earth has seen five mass extinctions. What's special about this one is that it's the only mass extinction to be influenced by the outside forces of one species. I'll give you three guesses as to what species that is. (Hint: it's not the archosaurs.)

Scientists recently found that vertebrates are disappearing from the planet 114 times faster than normal. Highly endangered species like leopards and polar bears will not survive much longer if extinction continues at this terrifying rate.

flickr/Bart van Dorp

Since 1900, approximately 400 vertebrate species have disappeared. Researchers across the globe agree that this number is way higher than it should be.

flickr/Beverly & Pack

The last time something like this happened was 65 million years ago, which is when the dinosaurs died out.

flickr/Andrea Della Adriano

That doesn't really bode well for us.

The difference between the dinosaur extinction of the Cretaceous-Paleogene period and the extinction currently underway is that the dinosaurs were hit by an asteroid. We, on the other hand, may be sealing our own fate with lovely human creations like pollution and deforestation.

flickr/Mikael Miettinen

Although scientists believe that we are well on our way to oblivion, there is some hope. If extreme conservation strategies are put in place, we can still turn things around.

flickr/Dawn Ellner

It's possible that many species will soon go extinct, including us. Some scientists believe that humans will be battling for survival as a species within the next three generations.
Evidence from prior mass extinctions suggests that some life forms will survive the impending disaster. During the Permian extinction, the world's most devastating extinction thus far, 96 percent of all species perished. Against all odds, the remaining organisms persevered, which allowed for the evolution of the creatures we know and love today. We should probably get our act together before it's too late.