Earth's Sixth Mass Extinction Event Is Underway

Swaths of wildlife have disappeared forever—and humans may be next.

The sixth mass extinction event in Earth’s history is already underway, according to a shocking new study that describes the phenomenon as “biological annihilation.”

Scientists discovered billions of common and rare wildlife populations have already been lost, blaming human overpopulation and overconsumption. As the crisis worsens, the authors of the study claim it will soon threaten the very existence of mankind, according to The Guardian.

The percentage of decreasing species classified by IUCN as “endangered” (including “critically endangered,” “endangered,” “vulnerable,” and “near-threatened”) or “low concern” (including “low concern” and “data-deficient”) in terrestrial vertebrates. (Ceballos, et. al.)

Researchers reviewed a sample size of 27,600 species between 1900 and 2015. Published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study calls the mass extinction event a “frightening assault on the foundations of human civilization.” “The situation has become so bad it would not be ethical not to use strong language,” said lead author Professor Gerardo Ceballos.

One third of the species lost are not currently endangered, research showed. The study also found that nearly half of all animals on the planet have been lost in recent decades. The surviving land mammals have sen their ranges shrink by as much as 80 percent in the last 100 years.

Earth’s last extinction event was 65 million years ago, which saw the end of the dinosaurs.

Percentage of local population extinction in 177 species of mammals, as an indication of the severity of the mass extinction crises. (Ceballos, et. al.)