Chapter 13: Sixth Extinction

Rahima Khatun 
Mr. Callahan 
24/08/18 
Kolbert visits the ICR in San Diego; there she notices the Frozen Zoo room where vials of genetic material of extinct/near-extinct species are preserved. This goes to show that humans endanger and save animals; from passing the Endangered Species Act to arranging conservation groups, humans have the ability to preserve and protect. Near the ICE is a veterinary hospital where Kolbert speaks to Barbara Durrant, a reproductive physiologist, about her efforts to get Kinohi, a Hawaiian bird, to reproduce. Evidently, if more people were aware of the Sixth Extinction and worked together, many species could be saved. Overall, some people doubt that the human race will continue to, considering that we depend on the Earth's biological and geochemical systems, while others believe that humans can overcome anything. Regardless, it’s important that people are informed about the Sixth Extinction.
This final chapter connects to the theme that a combination of conservation and development is required for our own and other species survival. Stated in the text, “Right now, in the amazing moment that to us counts as the present, we are deciding, without quite meaning to, which evolutionary pathways will remain open and which will forever be closed.” At this point, thinking of ways to preserve the human race isn’t the most important topic; rather, what we should be focusing on is the present. It’s important to educate the general public about what is going on and to help preserve the remaining biodiversity. After reading about how much humans have done to try to preserve animals, I predict that we can’t save all the animals but we can change our behavior and help some animals adapt to the changing world.