The Anthropocene:
Humans Are the Cause of the Sixth Great Mass Extinction

Chris Spencer

The lights blinking across the world mark proof of human accomplishment and influence. Under this very glow lies a darker truth-we are in the midst of the Sixth Great Mass Extinction. Choices we make will shape the future of this planet-let's make them count. #Anthropocene #MassExtinction #Sustainability

The Anthropocene epoch denotes that period when Homo sapiens have had an unprecedentedly deep impact on the geology and ecosystems of Earth, with continuous, unparalleled changes that threaten the survival of many species, including our own. The sixth great mass extinction is ongoing, the product of a multicausal nexus among overpopulation, resource depletion, environmental degradation, and political corruption. All these challenges are interconnected and interlocking, forming a cascading crisis chain that jeopardizes human futures.

The Anthropocene Concept

The popularization of the term "Anthropocene"—which occurred during the early 2000s—names it as a geological epoch dominated by human influence on the planet. This term was originally coined by Paul Crutzen and Eugene Stoermer to describe the extreme changes resulting from factors such as industrialization, urbanization, and technological alteration (Crutzen & Stoermer, 2000). It is believed to have begun roughly around 1950, in contrast to the Holocene, which was a period of stability where human civilization was able to flourish.

Geological Impacts

Human activities have dramatically modified the land surfaces and atmosphere. Deforestation, urban growth, and agriculture have altered land surfaces. The atmosphere has also been changed due to increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions, further contributing to global climate change. The extraction of fossil fuels and minerals results in soil and water degradation, enhancing ecological disasters and increasing the severity and frequency of mass wasting events (Steffen et al., 2015).

Loss of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability and human survival. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services estimates that human activities threaten the extinction of around one million species in the next couple of decades. The current rate of extinction is running from 100 to 1,000 times higher than the natural background rate, illustrating just how deep the crisis is.

Interconnected Problems

Overpopulation and Resource Depletion

In 1950, the estimated global population was about 2.5 billion. By 2021, it reached over 7.9 billion. According to the United Nations in 2022, this is projected to increase further to 9.7 billion by 2050. This exponential growth exerts extreme pressure on Earth's resources, resulting in habitat destruction, increasing pollution, and resource depletion.

Oil Depletion

Fossil fuels are the major sources of energy; however, they have been depleted at an alarming rate. The International Energy Agency warns that increasing demand for oil will lead to significant shortfalls, destabilizing economies and energy supplies. This depletion is deeply connected with food production and transportation, which rely heavily on fossil fuels.

Potassium Deficiencies

Potassium is vital for fertilizer manufacture and food production. Over-exploitation of potassium resources may result in a shortage of this essential commodity, posing direct ramifications for food security worldwide. Meeting the nutritional needs of a growing population will become increasingly difficult.

These compounding problems of resource depletion and overpopulation have already led to food shortages affecting millions globally. According to the World Food Programme in 2021, global hunger surged, with 811 million people suffering from chronic hunger in 2020. Climate change exacerbates this situation through disrupted agricultural production due to extreme weather events like droughts and flooding.

Starvation has begun to manifest, especially in the most vulnerable areas. Economic turmoil and political unrest, combined with environmental degradation, create a perfect storm that furthers food insecurity. As agricultural production declines due to soil degradation and shifting climatic patterns, the prospect of famine poses a real threat to human and ecological health alike (FAO, 2021).

Environmental Degradation

Climate Change is a fundamental driver of the sixth mass extinction. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have significantly increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that even a 2-degree increase from pre-industrial temperatures would likely lead to mass extinctions. Species distribution and phenological changes are already occurring, with many species unable to adapt to such rapid changes.

Ocean acidification is another dangerous consequence of climate change, as oceans absorb approximately 53% of carbon dioxide emissions. This chemical reaction affects marine life, particularly organisms like corals and shellfish that use calcium carbonate for their structures. The collapse of marine ecosystems could further decrease biodiversity and threaten food security for millions (Doney et al., 2009).

Pollution

Industrial activities, agriculture, and urban runoff continue to pollute the air, water, and soil. Pesticides, heavy metals, and plastics pose immense threats to life. Microplastics are now found in nearly every oceanic environment, ingested by organisms ranging from large fish to small zooplankton, and entering the food chain (Browne et al., 2011). Pollution seriously impacts biodiversity, contributing to population declines and altering ecosystem dynamics.

Political Corruption

Myopic Policies

Poor governance and corruption exacerbate environmental degradation. Many governments prioritize economic development over ecological protection, often at the expense of sustainable practices. Shortsighted policies, such as subsidizing fossil fuel industries, detract from efforts to curb climate change and biodiversity loss.

Business Interests

Corporate lobbying plays a significant role in shaping environmental policies. Many firms prioritize profit maximization without regard for the consequences of their operations on natural resources. Newell and Paterson (2010) argue that corporate involvement ensures regulatory frameworks for environmental protection are weakened or ignored.

Media Influence

The mediatisation of environmental issues often sensationalizes coverage, affecting public perception and policy responses. This diminishes the urgency of the extinction crisis and misinforms public debates. Studies show that media frequently cover individual events rather than systemic issues, reducing the perceived urgency of environmental challenges.

The Future of Homo Sapiens

Impending Extinction

The vicious circle of overpopulation, resource depletion, environmental degradation, and corrupt politics creates a deadly mix threatening human survival. If current trends continue, the extinction of Homo sapiens could occur within centuries. The loss of biodiversity disrupts systems that provide clean air, water, and food, making life precarious.

We face an urgent and dire need for immediate action to avert this crisis. The sad reality is that there is no cohesive plan—only an insatiable pursuit to continue the exploitation and rape of Earth and its ecosystems. Corrupt, criminal politicians serve their own interests and those of corporations at the expense of sustainable practices and environmental protection, pushing us closer to the edge of the abyss.

Key Strategies Largely Ignored

1.    Sustainable Development: The shift toward sustainable agriculture, renewable energies, and circular economies could prevent resource depletion and environmental damage, yet these strategies are continually sidelined in favor of fossil fuel extraction and industrial expansion.

2.    Population Growth: Instead of implementing family planning and education policies to stabilize population growth, we see increasing overpopulation exacerbating our crises.

3.    Broadening Regulations: Stricter environmental regulations are essential, but many governments prioritize business interests over ecological accountability, allowing unchecked environmental devastation to persist.

4.    Greater Public Awareness: The public must be better informed about biodiversity and sustainability issues, but misinformation and disinterest often stifle grassroots movements for change.

5.    International Cooperation: Although global challenges require collaborative solutions, international agreements like the Paris Agreement often fall short due to ulterior political agendas and lack of serious commitment.

The Grim Reality of the Anthropocene

The Anthropocene era is a juncture where Earth's history has been marked by deep human impact. Confronting the sixth great mass extinction underscores the urgency to grasp the grim interplay of overpopulation, resource depletion, environmental degradation, and political corruption.

A Future in Jeopardy

Without radical changes, the survival of Homo sapiens is in jeopardy. The trajectory of destruction currently being pursued will lead not only to our downfall but also to irrevocable damage to countless other species. There is no real "way forward," only a path of exploitation and neglect.

We have reached a critical point, and if we continue down this path, we risk plunging into an abyss where both human life and biodiversity will face annihilation. Time is running out. Unless we address these pressing issues with urgency and seriousness, we may soon find ourselves in a world devoid of life as we know it.

The ripples of our failure will linger long after we are gone, etching in history the generation that ignored the warnings of its own making. Without a dramatic shift in leadership and priorities, hope for a sustainable future fades into oblivion.

The Anthropocene epoch defines Earth's history through human dominance. Standing at the brink of the sixth great mass extinction, overpopulation, resource depletion, environmental degradation, and political corruption-all are interlinked and have to be understood as such. Whether Homo sapiens will survive or die depends on us. Our actions, whether oriented toward sustainability or not, will be what determines the kind of future humans and biodiversity are going to experience.

A looming global food security crisis has further been worsened by triple challenges facing declining arable land, depleting oil reserves, and Potassium fertilizer shortfalls. In fact, since 1400 AD, the arable land has already been depleted by 57 percent due to desertification, climate change, and urban sprawl, while on the other hand, oil-being consumed at alarming rates-is an important component of modern agriculture. This, added to deficiencies in vital nutrients like potassium, will result in localized shortages by 2045 and general shortages by 2065. For many, starvation is a fact of life already, but it will get even worse if urgent action is not taken-the likes of which people of today cannot even imagine. The dependence on finite resources, together with environmental degradation and unsustainable consumption patterns, underlines the imperative need for systemic change if humankind is to avoid a calamitous future characterized by severe food insecurity and rising resource conflicts.

There are no foreseeable substitutes for farm land, oil, potassium and a stable climate. There is no "pending tech" to replace these dwindling commodities.

Here's a breakdown of why these resources are so essential and why it's unlikely that "pending tech" will solve these problems in the near future:

Farmland

• Irreplaceable: Farmland is a finite resource. Once converted for other uses (like urban development or industrialization), it's nearly impossible to reclaim for agriculture.
• Soil Health: Healthy soil takes centuries to form and is crucial for crop growth. It's a complex ecosystem that cannot be easily replicated.
• Climate Impact: Farmland plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and climate regulation. Losing farmland can exacerbate climate change.

Oil

• Energy Backbone: Oil is still the backbone of the global energy system, powering transportation, industry, and agriculture.
• Infrastructure Dependence: Our infrastructure, from roads to factories, is heavily reliant on oil-based products. A rapid transition would require massive investments and disruptions.
• Alternatives Limitations: While renewable energy sources are growing, they have their own limitations (e.g., intermittency, storage challenges). A complete switch away from oil would take decades.

Potassium

• Essential Nutrient: Potassium is a vital nutrient for plant growth. It's a non-renewable resource that is being depleted faster than it can be replenished.
• Limited Alternatives: There are no viable substitutes for potassium in agriculture. Synthetic fertilizers, while effective, rely on finite mineral resources.

Stable Climate

• Ecosystem Balance: A stable climate is essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health, which in turn support agriculture and other human activities.
• Irreversible Changes: Climate change is already causing irreversible damage to ecosystems. Reversing these trends will require significant global cooperation and rapid emissions reductions.

The Challenge of "Pending Tech"

While technological advancements have the potential to address some of these challenges, they often face limitations:

• Economic Feasibility: Implementing new technologies can be expensive and may not be economically viable for all regions.
• Infrastructure Compatibility: Integrating new technologies into existing infrastructure can be complex and time-consuming.
• Environmental Impacts: Some technologies may have their own environmental impacts, requiring careful consideration.

In conclusion, the resources mentioned in the articles are critical for human survival and well-being. While technological innovation is essential, it's unlikely to provide immediate solutions to these complex challenges. A more sustainable and equitable approach is needed to ensure a future for humanity and the planet. The NASA Cult keeps chanting that "Pending Tech" will "fix everything." Pending Tech and Insane Governance is how we arrived at the precipice. Pending Tech and Insane Governance are no solution at all.

References:

Browne, M. A., Galloway, T. S., Thomson, R. S., & McHugh, M. (2011). Microplastics: An introduction to the microplastics in marine environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(8), 1597-1605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.05.027

Ceballos, G., Ehrlich, P. R., & Dirzo, R. (2015). Biological annihilation via the ongoing sixth mass extinction signaled by vertebrate population losses and declines. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(30), E6089-E6096. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1525000412

Crutzen, P. J., & Stoermer, E. F. (2000). The Anthropocene. Global Change Newsletter, 41, 17-18.

Doney, S. C., Fabry, V. J., Feely, R. A., & Kleypas, J. A. (2009). Ocean acidification: The other CO2 problem. Oceanography, 22(4), 16-25. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2009.105

FAO. (2021). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021.

Hawkesford, M. J., et al. (2018). Sustainable intensification of agriculture: A global challenge. Nature Sustainability, 1(1), 19-30. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-018-0001-6

IEA. (2021). World Energy Outlook 2021.