Let's Talk Extinction

We homo sapiens are newcomers to the web of life on Earth. Life progressed for thousands of millions of years before anything resembling our kind came along. But life on Earth may very well never be the same. The rate of extinctions today rivals that of the days of the dinosaurs’ demise, about 65 million years ago. Is Near-Term Human Extinction inevitable in your mind? Or do you believe those scientists, who have studied and reported on this matter, have a part in an extinction conspiracy? Do end-of-the-world predictions seem ridiculous to you or do they make you really nervous?

When we think about extinction, it’s easy to feel as if things are completely apocalyptic and we’re all just doomed. Human survival is absolutely dependent on healthy, diverse ecosystems and our global, industrial economy is clearly undermining natural, living systems. Yet our culture seems unable to either contemplate or debate the really big changes necessary to have a truly sustainable way of life. While many think our species is very special and great, the percentage of humans, who are willing to address such existential risks to our planet, is still very small.

Why were we publically able to discuss a nuclear winter when the USSR still existed but now are unwilling or unable to talk openly about a human induced mass extinction? Do you ever talk about this with your friends and family? Or is it all too scary? Can life, as we know it, really be over?

Some of us desperately want to talk about extinction, as we believe that we may still have a choice: a truly radical cultural transformation or the existing path to mass annihilation. Whether it’s a deep green resistance or applying permaculture principles, are we even seeking appropriately sized responses to avoid this dire fate for all of humanity? Why do you believe we continue to delude ourselves about the systemic contradictions of industrial capitalism, where nature’s limits are not shown on the balance sheets?

Most people seem interested only in their immediate needs and ongoing pursuits. Despite knowing of the horrors we have created, polluting the air, water and lands, decimating forests, trashing the oceans and producing radioactive materials that have dangerous half-lives of tens of thousands of years, many Americans still just rationalize it away. "Don't worry, be happy." “Look at all the good things that are happening.” They go about making money and indulging in bright green consumption, while remaining in deep denial about the daily species extinctions estimated at over 100 a day.

We would like to know how you deal with this knowledge. What is your personal carrying capacity for grief, anger and despair around this subject? Please listen on Let’s Talk on KWMR this Thursday, May 5th, from 11 to noon, and then call us on 415-663-8492 or tweet us @LetsTalkOnKWMR during the show to add your thoughts and opinions.