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March 20, 2004
Mass Extinctions Not Inevitable
For those of you following the news lately, there was a recent study that concluded that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. I read this with some dismay, even though I've been aware of it happening for years. This study was the most extensive ever done that confirmed it. However, Wired Magazine interviewed Stuart Pimm:, the author of the study, and he says it's not inevitable and would take very little to stop it. Here are some salient snippets from the interview:
WN: What can be done to slow the rate of species loss?
Pimm: We have to stop doing stupid things like subsidizing economically and ecologically damaging activities. For example, the global fish catch is worth about $50 billion at the dock, but government subsidies to the fishing industry amounts to $100 billion.
The Florida Everglades are in trouble because we prop up the sugar industry, which spews huge amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and other chemicals into it. We pay higher sugar prices, we pay to clean their mess and we lose the natural amenities of the Everglades. That's a stupid thing and we should change it.
Tax subsidies are also responsible for much of the clear-cutting that goes on in the Amazon rainforest. And we have to stop selling off natural resources like the Tongass National Forest for 5 cents on the dollar.
We have to be smart, be informed and understand where the connections are.
WN: What do you think the future will bring?
Pimm: Actually I am optimistic about slowing the rate of extinctions. These are not unmanageable problems. Tropical forest deforestation could be almost entirely stopped by buying out the logging permits. It would cost $5 billion, which is a lot of money, but not an enormous amount.
The mismanagement of the global fishing industry could be fixed fairly easily and would save governments money.
There are lots of big things that could be done right away to help keep the world a more enjoyable place. And that's the kind of world people want to live in.
Wow, only $5 Billion to stop tropical deforestation! I hope this isn't a smudged figure. With the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund moving trillions of dollars around, what's $5 billion? What I find more shocking than deforestation, is that it would take so little to stop it, yet it hasn't happened yet. Why hasn't the UN with it's billions upon billions of dollars in aid done anything about it? With only $5 billion to completly stop it, their inaction defies description. If this figure is right, then I hope enough people are moved enough to get the worlds politicians to take action. The Bill Gates Foundation alone has already spent some $25 billion on third-world causes.
If it were as simple as paying 5 billion dollars it would have happened already, i am quite certain that there are many other difficulties associated with this problem. Many of the areas where deforestation occurs is third world, their lives depend upon exploiting these types of resources. Buying permits isn't going to stop someone trying to feed their family. Unfortunately this is the sad reality.
Posted by: Anonymous at July 12, 2004 07:27 PM