With every extinction, we lose not just a species but a treasure trove of knowledge

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/32085421

Unlike earlier events triggered by natural catastrophes, today’s accelerating losses are overwhelmingly driven by human activities, from habitat destruction to introduced species to climate change. Current extinction rates are tens to hundreds of times higher than natural levels.

The United Nations warns up to 1 million species may disappear this century, many within decades.