Animal extinction

Nature

A majority of biologists are convinced that a "mass extinction" of plants and animals is underway that poses a major threat to humans in the next century. The rapid disappearance of plant and animal species is ranked as one of the planet's gravest environmental worries, surpassing pollution, global warming and the thinning of the ozone layer, according to the 1998 survey of 400 scientists commissioned by New York's American Museum of Natural History.

Background

From an evolutionary perspective extinctions have no single or simple cause. The mechanisms by which species become extinct are not solely external (extrinsic) factors (e.g. impacts, volcanism, floods, competition, etc.) but also depend on internal (intrinsic) factors (e.g. longevity of individuals, population size, body size). Many traditional evolutionary palaeontologists promote catastrophic explanations for species extinctions within evolutionary theory. Among modern ecologists, the developmental approach in evolutionary theory to species extinctions involves the modelling of ecosystems where complexity works against species stability. Modern evolutionary palaeontologists are unable to explain relations between impacts and the continuous character of extinctions. But the developmental approach on a planetary scale reveals that the extinction processes in the history of the Earth do involve the puzzling phenomenon of ageing in species and higher taxa, planetary biological mega-rhythms, as well as the extraterrestrial influences themselves.

Incidence

Animal extinction is occurring at an unprecedented rate, with scientists estimating that species are disappearing 100 to 1,000 times faster than the natural background rate. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List currently classifies over 42,000 species as threatened with extinction, highlighting the global scale and urgency of the crisis. Human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change are primary drivers, affecting ecosystems on every continent.
In 2020, the Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius), native to the Yangtze River, was declared extinct after exhaustive surveys failed to locate any individuals. This loss underscores the rapid decline of freshwater megafauna in Asia.

Claim

Animal extinction is a critical crisis that demands urgent attention. Losing species at an alarming rate destroys ecosystems, disrupts food chains, and threatens human survival. Every extinct animal represents a permanent loss of biodiversity and natural heritage. Ignoring this problem is reckless and irresponsible. We must act now to protect endangered species and preserve the delicate balance of our planet before it’s too late. Animal extinction is not just an animal problem—it’s a human one.

Counter-claim

Animal extinction is not an important problem at all. Species have always come and gone throughout Earth’s history, and nature adapts. Human progress and development matter far more than worrying about a few disappearing animals. Resources should be focused on issues that directly impact people, like technology and the economy, instead of wasting time and money on conservation efforts. Extinction is simply a natural part of evolution, not a crisis.