Biodiversity. The sum total of all life on Earth. That wealth of genes, species, ecosystems, and ecological processes that make our living planet what it is - the only place in the entire universe where we know with certainty that life exists. We are extremely fortunate to be an integral part of such a rich and diverse planet, especially at a time when scientific understanding and advanced systems of transport and communications enable us to see, to visit, to learn about, to fully appreciate the amazing range of life forms with which we share this Earth.
We should delight in this wealth of life that has co-evolved with us over millions of years. We should value it as much as we do the creations of our own species -- our art, our music, our literature, our history, our cultures, and our languages. And we should do everything in our power to make sure that every bit of earth life continues to share this very special planet with us.
Unfortunately, in spite of our growing knowledge of biodiversity and our increasing appreciation of its complexity, its magnificence, and its value to us, we are in a crisis of epic proportions. Indeed, we stand at the threshold of one of the most overwhelming losses of life in Earth’s history – a planet wide series of extinctions, coming in great spasms unlike anything since the loss of the dinosaurs some 65 million years ago. This time the cause is not a giant meteorite crashing into the Earth or some other uncontrollable cosmic force. This crisis is caused by the inability of one species to control its consumption at the expense of the many millions of others.
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