Submitted by Stix: Changes to Earth's biodiversity have occurred more rapidly in the past 50 years than at any time in human history, creating a species loss greater than anything since a major asteroid impact wiped out the dinosaurs. That's the conclusion of Global Biodiversity Outlook 2, a report released today by the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity."In effect, we are currently responsible for the sixth major extinction event in the history of the Earth, and the greatest since the dinosaurs disappeared, 65 million years ago," the report states.The wide-ranging report also states that demand for resources globally exceeds the biological capacity of the Earth by some 20 percent. "Two thirds of the services provided by nature to humankind are in decline, worldwide," said Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the U.N.'s Convention on Biological Diversity, in an open letter to all of the planet's citizens. "Humans have made unprecedented changes to ecosystems in recent decades to meet growing demands for food and other ecosystems services."

The report offers simple economic logic for maintaining biodiversity: "Biodiversity loss disrupts ecosystem functions, making ecosystems more vulnerable to shocks and disturbances, less resilient, and less able to supply humans with needed services."Biodiversity loss has "weakened nature's ability to deliver its vital services," Djoghlaf writes. "Human activity is putting such strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted."

View: Full Article | Source: Live Science

this is definitely alarming. forward this news to your friends, peepz.

It's not too alarming. We know this has happened for years and years. We just don't know or understand the numbers involved. That would probably open up more eyes to this growing problem.

We have know the extent of the problem for decades. Lots of people have been shouting themselves hoarse about this since the 70s but have been ridiculed by those who get money from industry and development and who don't want to stop reaping vast wealth. The only difference now is that the damage is getting so bad that it can no longer be ignored.

Got to love how the person incharge of the most powerful nation in the world is pushing mass resources into a completely pointless war. Two Trillion dollars could have been put toward helping the world in some form. But instead, lets fight over oil!

I agree 'smallpackage' - it is quite pointless....

I am buying a hybrid car... although it won't do much good... I guess all we can each do is set the proper example.

Setting a good example will achieve nothing. Getting Bush out of power and replacing him with someone who actually cares about the nation and the citizens, as well as all the people on the planet, is the only thing that can possibly save us.

Nowhere did the article single out the US. As far as I'm aware we are all humans are we not?

Absolutely, but USA is still the biggest consumer and polluter of all nations. China and India are catching up fast and will pass USA in a few years as their economies continue to grow.
If USA can change its ways, other nations will be more likely to do so as well.

I agree. Alas I am Canadian and have no influence on American politics.

The US is and has changed it's ways. My husband and I work very closely with environmental groups and the fact that Bush didn't sign a treaty doesn't mean we're not doing anything. Regardless of said treaty regulations on manufactures are getting stricter all the time. One of the main reasons that a lot of them are going to other coutries where they are less regulated.