ClimateBites

Continuing on the theme of sorely-needed climate humor (Why humor is Important),  here’s a favorite cartoon.

Believe it or not, it is from a Hallmark greeting card by illustrator Dan Regan (“Animal Antics“).

As man-made climate change and habitat destruction usher in Earth’s sixth great mass extinction, the words of Edmund O. Wilson, champion of biodiversity, keep ringing in my ears:

“The one process ongoing in the 1980’s that will take millions of years to correct is the loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats.    This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us.”

When speaking about climate, I often find myself at a loss for words to convey the tragedy of such heedless destruction of Creation.    So I turn, again, to E. O. Wilson:

“Destroying a tropical rainforest and other species-rich ecosystems is like burning all the paintings of the Louvre to cook dinner.”

Or, as Hallmark (paraphrasing De Beers) might put it, with their trademark sentimentality and genius for brevity:

“Because extinction is forever.”

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 P.S.  Wilson’s quote, plus a related metaphor by John Holdren, can be viewed here.    Many additional poignant quotes from distinguished scientists about the impact of climate change and other human activity on biodiversity can be found at this United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) site.   Some will no doubt make their way into our “Bites” collection.