Analysis Of Elizabeth Kolbert's The Sixth Extinction

Poaching is a huge problem for many endangered species. Examples of poaching include shooting animals out of season, catching more fish than allowed, and “spotlighting,” which is when a hunter shines a powerful light into a deer’s eyes to incapacitate them. These are the types of poaching seen in America. Commonly poached animals in North America include white tail deer, Canadian geese, and numerous types of river fish. All of these are common animal. In other parts of the world, the poached animals are usually endangered. The black market has a huge demand for elephant tusks, rhinoceros horns, and lion pelts. Because of the high demand, the money involved can rise to insane prices. Some people want mounted lion heads or rugs, ivory figurines,
She visits many different research sites all over the world to meet with scientists looking into the human effects on the planet and its ecosystems. For example, Kolbert visits One Tree Island near the Barrier Reef and the Island of Castello Aragonese to collect water samples. The scientists at One Tree Island wanted to test the carbon dioxide levels of the water during high and low tide. One scientist at Castello Aragonese collected water and animal samples from the vents under the water that spewed 〖CO〗_2. Kolbert references some studies that show that since the Industrial Revolution, humans have released billions of metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and oceans. This has changed the acidity of the oceans, which causes many organisms to suffer. Along with humans cutting down trees, the 〖CO〗_2 levels continue to grow (Kolbert 111). In the last chapter of the book, Kolbert visits the Institute for Conservation Research in San Diego. This institute collects the genetic material of endangered species. They will use some of the genetic material to artificially inseminate the females of the species. They also keep some in what they call “a frozen zoo.” Scientists hope that technology will advance enough to bring extinct animals back to life. This chapter highlights how humans are the main cause for many animals’ demises, yet they are putting a concerted effort into sustaining the creatures (Kolbert 259). These institutes, such as the one mentioned, exist because of destructive human behavior. Humankind has destroyed the land to make room for itself. Humans do not notice the consequences until it is a little too late. The sixth extinction states that the next mass extinction could be happening right now as a result of human behavior. Her chapters about the humans’ effect on the Earth and different environments