Non-Fiction Critical Analysis on Upfront Article "The 6th Extinction?"

          The non-fiction article "The Sixth Extinction?" by Elizabeth Kolbert, in Upfront magazine issue #15251292, talks about the fact that we may be headed towards another mass extinction. The main idea of the text is that, in various ways, humans are causing species to disappear at an alarming rate. The many different ways that humans are causing species to disappear helped me understand what was happening and why. For example, Kolbert explains that by, "... inhabiting every corner of the planet, razing forests, and burning fossil fuels..." we are causing the world to change very quickly and in many ways, which is causing thousands of extinctions. The author also helps demonstrate her point by pointing out that moving species around the world is having a huge impact and is a big part of the issue. Finally, I understood her point and the main idea better through her explanation of how deforestation and use of fossil fuels has, "... led to a buildup of carbon dioxide and other gases that trap heat in the atmosphere," and how global warming forces species to, "...adapt to new climates or move to cooler habitats. If neither of those strategies works, they die out." Understanding the different ways that humans are causing species to disappear helped me comprehend the main idea and the topic altogether.

          The author wants me to feel scared and alarmed by letting me know that humans are the ones who are causing history to repeat itself. She does this by using factual evidence that shows the damage humans are causing, such as the fact that extinction rates are 10,000 times higher since humans appeared (Science magazine). The author also uses other intimidating statistics, for example, "within this century, 20 to 50 percent of all living species - from plants to mammals - might be headed towards oblivion." Kolbert also gives data showing how the movement of species caused by humans is causing extinctions, by saying that "Hawaii, for example, is acquiring a new species each month, according to the Center for Invasive Species Research. [...] Hundreds of species that existed only in Hawaii for thousands of years [...] are now gone forever or disappearing because other species have taken over." Not only does the author uses daunting statistics and factual evidence to show the reader just how big the issue is, and how involved humans are, but Kolbert also uses some vocabulary that gives a bit of a sense of 'impending doom'. For example, in the statistic quoted previously, she says that up to 50 percent of all living species might be headed towards 'oblivion'. The word oblivion is very strong and gives off more of a feeling of how serious and important the issue is.

          After reading this text, I know more about how we might be headed towards a mass extinction, and why. I think we have nobody to blame but ourselves, and that we need to fix the mess we made before it's too late. I'd like to know more about ways that we can help salvage our planet and stop the damage we've caused, and perhaps a little more information on what caused the five other mass extinctions. Although my opinion has not been changed, it has been greatly reinforced, and now I know how imperative it is that we start making changes, or we will soon enough be going through a sixth mass extinction.