Are we in the 6th extinction event Artwork

Going Green

Welcome to the Going Green Podcast! Our mission is to educate and inspire people to take action on climate change by exploring various environmental issues and discussing practical ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle.Every week, your hosts Philip and Paul will delve into different aspects of climate change and its impact on the planet, from rising temperatures and sea levels to the destruction of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. They will also examine the role that human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, play in exacerbating these issues.But we don't just stop at identifying the problems. We believe that everyone has a part to play in combatting climate change and we will provide practical tips and advice on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. From small changes such as switching to LED light bulbs to bigger decisions like buying an electric vehicle or installing solar panels, we will explore a range of options for you to take action.It's important to remember that time is of the essence. The longer we delay taking action, the more severe the consequences of climate change will be. As a society, we need to act urgently to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and shift to cleaner, more sustainable forms of energy. We believe that everyone has a role to play in this collective effort, and we hope to inspire you to take the necessary steps to become part of the solution.So, join us on this journey towards a more sustainable future. Subscribe to the Going Green Podcast and let's start making a positive impact today.

All Episodes

Going Green

Are we in the 6th extinction event

June 24, 2023 • Philip Russell / Paul Russell • Season 4 • Episode 8

Welcome back to Going Green, your favorite podcast for probing the pressing environmental matters of our era. In this captivating episode, we tackle an issue of growing significance - the purported Sixth Mass Extinction.

Our planet's history is scarred by five previous mass extinctions, potent reminders of Earth's susceptibility. Presently, a significant number of scientists posit that we find ourselves in the throes of a sixth event, instigated not by natural processes, but by one species - humans. In this installment, we unpack the meaning of this proposition and its profound implications for our planet's trajectory.

The suggestion that we're in the middle of a sixth mass extinction event, often labeled as the Holocene or Anthropocene extinction, arises largely from human-induced environmental changes. The basis of this assertion stems from the unrivaled pace of species loss being witnessed currently. Recent estimates suggest that we're losing dozens of species daily, a rate that is up to 1,000 times the natural or "background" rate of extinction. Predominantly driven by habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and the overutilization of species, this swift biodiversity loss is truly alarming.

However, it's crucial to point out that mass extinction events are typically identified via the fossil record, long post their occurrence. Hence, despite the distressing trends we're observing, it remains a subject of ongoing scientific scrutiny whether we can conclusively categorize this as a mass extinction event on par with the five major ones that Earth has experienced historically.