What Is the Holocene Extinction? And Can It Be Stopped?

In recent years, you may have heard the term “Holocene extinction” frequently mentioned in the media. This is the latest mass extinction event, and it began roughly 10,000 years ago. Many scientists and individuals believe that this huge loss of biodiversity is caused by human intervention, but is this true? Today, we explain mass extinction events, discuss the Holocene extinction, and explore projections for the future.

What Is a Mass Extinction?

Extinction is a part of the natural circle of life here on Earth. However, the rate at which species disappear is typically relatively steady. According to Our World in Data, “There’s a natural background rate to the timing and frequency of extinctions: 10% of species are lost every million years, 30% every 10 million years, and 65% every 100 million years. It would be wrong to assume that species going extinct is out of line with what we would expect. Evolution occurs through the balance of extinction – the end of species – and speciation – the creation of new ones.”

A mass extinction event is characterized by the number of species that are lost and the rate at which these losses occur. Essentially, this is a period of time during which species die off at a faster rate than they can be replaced by new ones. In order for an extinction event to be considered a mass extinction, roughly 75% of all species must die off in a “short” period of time. The word short here is only relative, as a short amount of time geologically can span hundreds of thousands of years. Currently, we are at a time in history when the extinction rate is roughly 10,000 times greater than the background rate, which is alarming for many. As such, we are currently undergoing the sixth mass extinction event, known as the Holocene extinction.

A Brief History of Mass Extinction Events

Although it might be shocking, the Holocene extinction is far from the first mass extinction. Throughout history, the Earth has gone through several mass extinctions. The first of these was the End Ordovician mass extinction, which occurred roughly 444 million years ago. This event was responsible for killing roughly 85% of all species on Earth during that time. The second mass extinction event took place roughly 100 million years later. This was the Late Devonian extinction, and roughly 75% of species disappeared before it was over. The third mass extinction, known as the End Permian extinction event, was the most devastating of all. This extinction event killed off about 96% of all species!

The End Triassic was the next to occur, and unlike the mass extinctions before it, this one occurred in quick succession to the last. Between the End Permian extinction event and the End Triassic extinction event, only about 50 million years passed. This extinction event was responsible for eliminating 80% of life on Earth. The fifth mass extinction was the End Cretaceous, which occurred 65 million years ago. During this time, 76% of all species went extinct. This brings us to the Holocene extinction.

What Is the Holocene Extinction?

As we stated earlier, the Holocene is the sixth mass extinction event, and it began roughly 10,000 years ago. However, some experts debate this topic, stating that we are just now at the precipice of the sixth mass extinction. Additionally, several experts agree that human intervention is to blame for the climate crisis, which is heavily tied to the Holocene. In the past, many of the mass extinctions were caused by factors such as climate change and environmentally catastrophic events. Today, we see these themes reflected.

While humans may not have been the sole cause of this extinction, we have certainly exasperated it. Things like deforestation, carbon emissions, pollution, and hunting all impact our environment negatively. Each year, scientific discovery progresses further, and public awareness of the environmental crisis grows. Despite this, it seems that the situation only continues to worsen.

Many wonder if we can do anything to stop the Holocene extinction, or at the very least slow it. The short answer to this question is no. Although modern technology and environmental conservation awareness are both at an all-time high, the situation has progressed far beyond our control. In order to even tip the scales slightly, government officials would have to implement large-scale environmental conservation policies and dedicate mass finances to this cause. As individuals, it’s difficult to make a profound impact, though a few people have taken on the challenge.

What We Can Do to Help

Although we may not be able to stop the Holocene extinction, there are ways we can make a small difference. Raising awareness on social media, living an environmentally conscious lifestyle, and donating to conservation causes are all within your control. In addition, lobbying local officials to dedicate their time and effort to the climate crisis is also important. If no one uses their voice to speak up about this crisis, no change will be made. Because of this, it’s important to be vocal about what you believe in and urge others around you to do the same.

For those of you greatly impassioned by this topic, consider a career in the field of environmental conservation. What the world needs right now are brilliant minds and passionate hearts striving to protect the biodiversity here on Earth. If not for professional environmental conservationists, pollution would take over, natural resources would be destroyed, and countless forms of life would be eradicated forever. If you’re not content to become a research scientist, don’t worry, there are countless ways to get involved. Everything from teaching environmental education classes to volunteering at national parks makes an impact. If you feel at all called to this cause, honor it!

Projections For the Future

Although it may be disheartening for some, mass extinction events are a natural part of life on Earth. The Holocene extinction isn’t the first one, and it certainly won’t be the last. However, because of the rapid onset, time is running out to perform damage control. That is why it is so crucial that we dedicate our time and resources to this cause now. Soon enough, it may become evident that our efforts will no longer make any impact.

We may not be able to preserve every species, but we can certainly put effort into slowing the damage. Although it might seem as though mankind is helpless, we still have countless resources with which to combat this crisis. Individual efforts aside, it’s up to our governments to put those resources to use and enact policies on a large scale. Remaining hopeful and getting involved is paramount in protecting the species that still call the Earth home.

Summary Table of Mass Extinction Events