The present ecological crisis provokes the impression that we are an "erroneous branch of evolution" (Arthur Koestler). If we assume that every problem solution breads new problems and that the increasingly acute problems must be approached in their entire complexity, then the outlook is gloomy for us and for the recuperation of the living being that is earth. A creation that is millions of years old will prove much too complex for mankindıs limited state of knowledge to be quickly imitated or even "repaired". Moreover, even in the most "progressive" countries, we appear to be simply unwilling to identify the present man-made state of distress as a whole and to act in consequence at last.
The Evidence
The problems remain, multiply, and are cleverly thrust aside. Evidence must no longer be provided. It has been carefully compiled, analysed, illustrated by figures and published by scientists, the United Nations, governmental commissions, insurance firms and by many nongovernmental organisations. Let us try to gain a synopsis gathered from dependable sources. Although incomplete, this data may serve as an overview of ongoing problems, a kind of pulse rate record of ecology.
Sobering Figures
Each day between 70 and 300 animal- or plant species are eradicated off the face of the earth. The tendency is climbing. Biodiversity is diminished from many sides simultaneously. More than half of all wet biotopes have been destroyed in the past 100 years. 70 percent of the marine life is being overfished, 20 percent of the fresh water fish are either threatened or extinct. The rate of extinction is on the increase. The main culprit in this mass-dying is man with his ever more refined exploitation techniques, his relentlessly increasing requirements for natural resources and his explosive population growth to now over 6.24 billion (You can find the actual figure here).
The threat is a collapse of global equilibrium with unprecedented consequences for the future of the planet.
