Mass Extinction

Scientists just released shocking research that says the world is on the verge of a tragic "mass extinction" of countless species. But they also say there's time to stop it, and they have a proposal for action -- but they need global public opinion behind them to convince world leaders, and we can give it to them! Sign their petition and share it with everyone: SIGN THE PETITION Dear friends, It’s all over the news — scientists just released new research that says that we’re on the verge of a mass extinction of hundreds of species that "could easily, easily ruin the lives of everybody on the planet". They say we’re losing countless species, from polar bears to elephants to rhinos, at rates up to 100 times higher than normal — and it’s dismantling Earth's whole biological framework. And it’s all because of us, the humans. But they also say this: there is still time to stop it, though not much.  The scientists — some of the most highly respected in the world — have written a proposal to world leaders about how we can stop the mass extinction and literally save the world, and they're asking the world to sign their petition to show politicians that public opinion is behind them. Avaaz was made for moments exactly like this — click to sign the petition and then ask everyone you know to sign also, so we rise powerfully and by the millions to this incredibly dangerous moment, while we can still reverse it:  https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_mass_extinction_33_img2/?bAuKMbb&v=61057 It’s not the first time in history an extinction event has happened — the last time was 65 million years ago when the dinosaurs and almost everything else on the planet died out. But it’s the first time that this kind of biological disaster is happening simply because one species (us) is abusing natural resources past the point of sustainability. The scientists were incredibly conservative in their estimates, so it could be even worse than we think. But they're hopeful - one of them even said to CNN "I'm optimistic in the sense that humans react, in the past we have made quantum leaps when we worked together to solve our problems." They’ve drafted a memo for governments that lays out the solutions and the actions we can take - which include taking urgent action to stop climate change, supercharging our conservation efforts, and drastically reducing pollution. Scientists don’t always venture into the world of politics with their conclusions, but this brave group of them are doing just that and we can put the strength of global people power behind them so they can win. Click to sign, and then share with everyone: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_mass_extinction_33_img2/?bAuKMbb&v=61057 Someday I'd like to have kids but I think a lot about whether it's the right thing to do, since we're so likely to leave behind a far less beautiful, less hospitable world for all our children (and theirs). It is in moments like these, of great crisis and great opportunity, when the Avaaz community has so often risen up for the planet and won -- and given me hope that one day I'll raise a family and be proud of the world I introduce them to, and hand over to them. With hope and determination, Mia, Alice, Emma, Mais, Danny, Sobaika, Luis and the whole Avaaz team MORE INFORMATION Earth is on brink of a sixth mass extinction, scientists say, and it’s humans’ fault (The Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/06/22/the-earth-is-on-the-brink-of-a-sixth-ma.... The World’s Sixth Extinction Event Is Upon Us (The New Republic) http://www.newrepublic.com/article/122111/worlds-sixth-extinction-event-upon-us The Earth stands on the brink of its sixth mass extinction and the fault is ours (The Guardian) http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/21/mass-extinction-science-warning Scientific Consensus for Action (Proposal for leaders by scientists to avert mass extinction) http://consensusforaction.stanford.edu/statements/Consensus_English.pdf