Chapter 13 - Admir Basic

In Chapter 13 of The Sixth Extinction, the main focus is the future of species in the world. The author visits the ICR in San Diego to explore vials containing the genetics of several extinct and endangered species. Kolbert asks an important question regarding the coexistence of human settlement and animal settlement. “Does it have to end this way? Does the last best hope for the world’s most magnificent creatures - or, for that matter, its least magnificent ones - really lie in pools of liquid nitrogen?” [(R) This is an interesting way to ask the question of whether or not humans and animals can coexist in a perfectly mutual world? History has shown that it is not possible because humans have always relied on outside biological processes to advance society. Cooking uses a fuel and oxidizer in order to make fire and make animal meat suitable for consumption. The animal must be killed first before it can be eaten. Animals have to be domesticated in order to yield dairy products. And humans have used cats as pest control for many centuries. The well being of humans is historically shown that it needs to compromise the well being of nature to exist. This connects to two APES themes, humans alter natural systems since they altered animals to be more useful for society, and human survival depends on developing practices to achieve sustainability since unsustainable practices will only last a certain amount of time until the damage to humanity is too great to keep using - fossil fuels are coming close to this reality.] While humans have historically destroyed natural systems for their own good, today is a different story. The Endangered Species Act is a great example of human feats to prevent further damage to nature. The author also speaks to another doctor trying to preserve species - in this case, the Hawaiian crow. Just like the rhino in previous chapters, this doctor is facing hurdles on reproducing the crows. This is a sign that the biosphere does not have to be damaged further if more people practice conservation practices for the most endangered species. While the Anthropocene epoch is known for damaging natural systems, is this epoch damaging the livelihood of mankind surviving the next extinction? The effects of humans will continue to affect the environment for millions of years even if humans were to disappear at this moment.