My new book”Racing to Extinction” analyzes humanity & its impending extinction through the lens of my 30+ years as an endangered species biologist with DOI.
Yesterday I evaluated a large tract (1200 acres) recently purchased exclusively to protect biodiversity. It hasn’t been grazed or logged in ~50 years. It is surrounded by private timberlands routinely sprayed with glyphosate. I saw two flies and one bee all day. 😟😞
This is a fairly typical graph of a species population decline that is flirting dangerously with extinction. They cling precariously to existence for a period of time before either an anthropogenic or natural event results in their disappearance.
The number of insects, bats, and birds starving to death is beyond comprehension. It’s a horror show only those who are connected to nature can comprehend. Ignorance is bliss until the inevitable occurs. Without them there is no us.
@Race2Extinct
@janevandis
This year has seen the steepest collapse in insect numbers here. In our garden which is planted for pollinators we’ve seen very few bumblebees, hover flies,wasps, literally 3 cabbage white butterflies all summer. A salvia which should be buzzing is silent. It’s crushingly sad.
Insect populations are in freefall. By the time research confirms the obvious, many species will be beyond saving.
Insect pollinators: The time is now for identifying species of greatest conservation need - Wildlife Society Bulletin - Wiley Online Library
Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years.
Production increased from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Production is expected to double by 2050.
One of the most overlooked aspects of ecosystem collapse—deteriorating synchronicity.
Flowering, germination, pollination, migration, hibernation, dormancy.😟
Plants and their pollinators are increasingly out of sync
Native prairie on the left. Ag lands on the right.
Hmmm. I wonder why the topsoil is gone and there is a constant need for fertilizers? Forever a mystery.
🦇 For those who care about bats, we’re living a nightmare. Bat populations are being annihilated by pesticides, wind turbines, habitat loss, deforestation, and invasive species. This article provides a bat-centric view of the Sixth Mass Extinction. 🦇
“Monsanto, a major glyphosate exporter, has been shown to have influenced academic research to downplay the health risks of its valuable product.”
Shocking. 🥱
Mexico’s planned glyphosate ban helped show how agroecology can lead the way forward
A 60% decline in flying insects from 2004-2021 in the UK. Earthworm populations have fallen by a third. People are oblivious to the austere ramifications for all complex life.
Wildlife experts urge action on pesticides as UK insect populations plummet
Arrogance, narcissism, and hubris are the impediments to accepting we know next to nothing about the species that share our planet.
Scientists push new paradigm of animal consciousness, saying even insects may be sentient
“90% of water wells in the U.S. have already been polluted by” herbicides and insecticides.
The US bans chemicals only after irreversible harm.
US announces ban of lawn product linked to major health concerns: 'Irreversible lifelong health problems'
I’m constantly told on social media not to worry that species have evolved to new circumstances for millions of years. It will be fun to watch humans evolve to no longer need water…..in the next 6 months.
Texas Is Already Running Out of Water - WIRED
We’re going to crash a space craft into an asteroid so we can protect Earth from catastrophe. Is it possible to be any more tone deaf? CC, avalanche of toxic chemicals, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, desertification…….and we’re worried about an asteroid?
@Race2Extinct
@MckinneyRufous
Across the southern ~2/3 of ivory bill's range, bald cypress (l) and Tupelo (r) were the chief dominants in flooded woodlands, particularly in terms of size/age. Cypress is oldest known tree in the East, ~2,000 yrs. Logging the swamps -- worst job ever.
Humanity has no idea the full ramifications of what we’ve already done…..but we’re going to find out.
Scientists make alarming discovery after hearing bubbling sounds from deep within Arctic ice: 'We decided to have a look'
While people focus on elephants & tigers, humanity will disappear because of the loss of species like mites & springtails.
Alarming study suggests drought side effect is killing off key underground species: 'We know so little about them' - The Cool Down
This pesticide has been used in the US for 57 yrs. Rather than chemical companies having to prove their product is safe, the burden of proof is on others to prove it is deadly. ☠️☠️for $$$.
EPA issues emergency order to halt use of dangerous pesticide
“We’re very close to irreversible tipping points.”
The Earth Commission—imbibing in a little hopium. Tipping points were the speed bumps currently in our rearview mirror.
The man earned $100k and was fined $16k. Penalties like that will have every logger on the planet moving to Wales. 🫤
Man fined after illegally removing thousands of trees in protected forest: 'The woodland has been effectively eradicated' - The Cool Down
“Mountains of clothes continue to grow amid the red sands of the Atacama Desert.” 😧
Fast fashion goes to die in this Chilean desert. The scale is breathtaking. - National Geographic
Every continent has been “borrowing” water from groundwater aquifers for ~century. Repayment isn’t possible. An ugly bankruptcy is imminent.
Earth’s Fountain of Life Is Vanishing Beneath Our Feet - Popular Mechanics
Ecosystems are collapsing at warp speed. Worrisome? Try terrifying/horrifying.
Scientist makes worrisome discovery after playing back audio recording from his trip to state park 3 decades ago: 'The changes are profound' - The Cool Down
Every time a log is removed from a forest, nutrients are lost creating increasingly resource-poor environments. It’s not rocket science. “Sustainable forestry” is a myth.
Climate change is currently the 12th most important issue in America in spite of wildfires, drought, and scarce water. Overpopulation/de-growth is not an issue. Loss of biodiversity is not an issue. Seriously—they are complete non-issues. Reality check.
“The calamitous cascade of species declines currently being experienced by ocean megafauna due to human harvesting mirrors what has happened on land.” -from “Racing To Extinction”
The world's largest fish are vanishing without a trace -National Geographic
Population 50 years ago - 3.92 billion
Population today - 8 billion
Atmospheric CO2 50 years ago - 329
Atmospheric CO2 today - 423
700k species extinctions in the last 50 years.
Pretend everything is okay.
For nearly 2M years, hominids have been a debtor species—continually borrowing against the future to pay for the present. The planet is about to initiate a very nasty foreclosure.
“We can steer clear of disaster and create a stable, thriving world for everyone.”
Contradicting the entire article…..with hope. 🌈🦄🍭🧚🏼
Earth systems critical to all life are on the verge of total collapse
Here’s why Bill Gates is wrong—and what most people miss: Carbon removal, clean energy, electric vehicles, and carbon taxes come at the expense of ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity……not independent of them. He’s clueless.
Shocking development. Just when we’re within striking distance of Net Zero……just 55 more years!
The ‘Doomsday Glacier’ is melting faster than scientists thought. Now Earth’s biggest cities are at risk - BBC Science Focus Magazine
This solar energy farm in Australia is made up of more than 1 million solar panels. It will produce enough energy to power over 200,000 households.
We have so many solutions. Implement them.
#ActOnClimate
#climate
#energy
#renewables
Studies showed that Agent Orange could only affect plants as it worked specifically on a plant pathway that animals didn’t have. For years, veterans were accused of scamming the system.
Roundup is no different. 1/6
“Heating of the nest above about 35 degrees Celsius being lethal, despite the remarkable capacity of bumblebees to thermoregulate.”
😔
Scientists Reveal 'Major' New Factor in Bumblebee Decline
*Plastic packaging
*Plastic pumpkins and decorations
*Costumes
Halloween—an ecological disaster quickly dwarfed by Christmas.
Why Halloween is an ecological disaster
Humanity has had a complex relationship with insects. These eight insects have helped shape human history. While some insects cause extreme hardships, sickness and death, our survival is contingent on biodiverse insect communities. When they disappear, so will we. 1/9
Study finds a strong association with the amount of pesticides used on farms & the incidence of many cancers. The pesticide industry is lobbying hard to limit its liability from lawsuits over health impacts.
☠️for $$$
The Pesticide Industry’s Toxic Lobby
Neo-environmentalists have siloed increasing emissions as a phenomenon independent of deforestation, biodiversity collapse, desertification, environmental toxins, pandemics, loss of topsoil, and microplastics. Renewables will solve everything.
Cut out the middleman. Eat your tires. 😉
New study raises concerns after finding levels of car tire materials in vegetables: 'That's not where they belong' - The Cool Down
“Fracking waste, injected underground for permanent disposal, traveled 12 mi through geological faults before bursting to the surface through a previously plugged W Texas oil well.”
Whack a mole! 🤡
Study Links Permian Blowouts With Wastewater Injection
Collapse of the largest freshH2O ecosystems on the planet rarely even rates a 🤷🏼 from most peeps.
*Aral Sea
*Lake Chad
*Lake Titicaca
*Lake Menindee
*Great Salt Lake
‘Everything is dry and very sad’: Lake Titicaca gripped by drought crisis - The Guardian
“No rainmaker, no aqueduct, and no prayer will save western Kansas from the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer.”
Not even prayer?! 😱😱😱😱
Hoping for a miracle to save the Ogallala Aquifer? Prepare for the new Dust Bowl. • Kansas Reflector
Gates argues for a tech-driven approach to battling climate change. Not a word about protecting forests/grasslands. 😳
“I mean, are we the science people or are we the idiots?”
Correct answer: we are the idiot science people.
Short of not having children, the most environmentally friendly action a person can take…….minimizing garbage. It’s a direct reflection of the amount of deforestation, mining, and manufacturing necessary to support a person’s lifestyle.
Michael Mann was interviewed on CNN yesterday. Takeaways:
*Greatest threat to climate change is doomerism, not denialism.
*Fossil fuel companies foster doom mongering.
*No mention of logging/deforestation
*There is hope
My takeaway: 😳
Representative of an increasing human population who have literally no idea how their food, water, clothing, products or shelter appear for use and consumption.
Find a pretty photo, pretend it is typical…..and all the planet’s woes disappear.
Balloons are among the top 10 types of debris found during coastal cleanups—and balloon pollution has tripled in the last decade.😡🙁
Expert diver issues warning after discovering deadly item floating in ocean: 'Should really be banned'
During the last 2 centuries humans have liquidated forests on a massive scale. Humans are waging a winning battle against forests. The cost of victory will be humanity’s permanent exodus from the planet.
Last week in the news….78% of ocean microplastics are from tires.
This morning…..77% of 19k plants discovered since 2020 are endangered.
Even more frightening……so few peeps view those issues as apocalyptic.
@Race2Extinct
Quicker & quicker we slide into being a forgotten life form, mostly from being slicker & slicker wth the half assed unserious responses to crisis after crisis.
“Just about every new pesticide application that is submitted to the agency is approved, no matter how high the risk.”
Former EPA official says agency fails to protect public from toxic pesticides
“It is awful that food like olive oil that we consider healthy and promoting of longevity is widely contaminated with phthalates.”
New report reveals concerning levels of contaminant found in products of several popular olive oil brands: 'It is awful'
Billionaire destroys 1 of the “last remaining ecosystems in the state”—a microcosm of the planet.
Fight ensues over pristine Texas land purchased by billionaire for luxury resort: 'The alarms went off when people in this area first heard' - The Cool Down
Humanity has become estranged from everything else alive believing we’re the only special species on Earth. I despair over our lack of appreciation for and annihilation of the amazing plants and animals sharing the planet.
I took this photo yesterday. An entire valley…….and I’m told by peeps on X that solar farms increase biodiversity. I wanted to scream. Roads, impenetrable fences, invasive species, ……..a f*cking biodiversity disaster.
Sometimes, I feel like crying. 😢
Video: Men Hold Down, Bludgeon Rare Endangered Ganges River Dolphin to Death With Sticks for Kicks - EnviroNews | The Environmental News Specialists
There are fewer than 100 adult axolotls left in the wild. Their extinction—imminent. 😔
Why axolotls seem to be everywhere — except in the one lake they call home - CNN
Industry fraud?! Greenwashing?! SHOCKING!! Who could have predicted? 🙄 😳🥴🙄
The plastic industry knowingly pushed recycling myth for decades, new report finds
Bats, birds, insects, plants, animals, and fungi are in trouble. No one can survive without them. As a result, humans are in big trouble.
Bats are in trouble. That’s not good for anyone who likes mezcal, rice or avocado | Wildlife | The Guardian
Human activities and now climate change are driving many mammals to become more nocturnal. Mammals are prioritizing seeking refuge from heat over increased risk of predation.
This Species Is Slowly Becoming Nocturnal For a Very Disturbing Reason
62 YEARS-the interval of time between books written by former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees about an environmental crisis.
1962: Silent Spring-Rachel Carson
2024: Racing to Extinction-Lyle Lewis
The US Forest Service’s environmental moral bankruptcy is exceeded only by the Bureau of Land Management’s.
US Forest Service failing to protect old growth trees from logging, critics say
“Thousands of textile remnants are seen scattered on a beach in Accra, Ghana.” Ugh. 😟
Video shows devastating impact of popularized fast fashion hauls: 'This needs to be shown to everyone'
As long as a person knows nothing about ecology, biology, mathematics, chemistry, history, and physics, it’s easy to come to the conclusion human extinction isn’t imminent.
The Naimina Enkiyio is one of the last intact forests in Kenya and is a sanctuary for elephants & wildlife from the Serengeti.
“Modernization is inevitable” 😱😢👋👋
This remote, mystical forest has been protected for centuries. Now it’s under threat