Question

Since the origin of life on earth, there were five episodes of mass extinction of species.
(i) How is the 'sixth extinction', presently in progress, different from the previous episodes?
(ii) Who is mainly responsible for the 'sixth extinction'?
(iii) List any four points that can help to overcome this disaster.

Answer 1

(i) Sixth extinction is different from previous ones in the following ways:
It takes place rapidly, i.e., reduction in a number of species per unit area per unit time. It is accelerated by human activities such as deforestation, industrialization etc.

(ii) Human activities that ultimately lead to global warming and disruption of environmental and ecological balance are responsible for this sixth extinction.

(iii) This disaster can be overcome by

• Afforestation
  
• Reduction in over-exploitation of natural resources
  
• Conservation of species and their natural habitats to minimize the losses.
  
• Create awareness among people regarding global warming and their consequences.