Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life

There is a body of thought that views humans as “little gods” because of our intellect, compared to other organisms, and our ability to self-reflect. As a result, goes the belief, “our ultimate role is to take control” of nature (47). Wilson makes clear that he does not buy into this perspective. Humans are “still too greedy, shortsighted, and divided into warring tribes to make wise, long-term decisions” (49). We are destroying the planet and do not seem to realize that doing so will negatively affect future generations. Wilson emphasizes that we, like all other organisms, are products of nature and evolution. Our larger and complex brain arose through millions of years of evolution. In turn, “the evolved mind gave rise to culture” (50). Acting as “false gods” and destroying the natural world will prevent humanity’s future from being secure.

This chapter focuses on the Sixth Extinction. The primary driver of the Sixth Extinction is human activity, making humans “the most destructive species in the history of life” (54). Conservation scientists use the acronym HIPPO to describe these activities: habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, population growth, and overhunting. Human population growth is the most politically charged of these activities.