Analysis Of The Sixth Extinction By Elizabeth Kolbert

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert describes Earth's five previous mass extinctions and how humans are to blame for leading our biodiversity into a sixth mass extinction. As an animal lover and an Earth-history enthusiast, I was excited to begin The Sixth Extinction. Kolbert begins by documenting her scientific journeys, relating biodiversity's current extinction rates, to the previous five, showing the interconnectedness through history. Following this, Kolbert emphasizes that we are currently in a geological period called the Anthropocene, named after the significant impact humans have on the surrounding environment. Additionally, Kolbert researches individual species to find a reason why they suddenly went extinct. Furthermore, Kolbert …show more content…
Although, I would be lying if I said I understood every word she used. Kolbert’s immense range of vocabulary kept the book interesting and allowed me to learn a few new words. Additionally, Kolbert does not just speak of animals, but she incorporates vegetation, atmospheric conditions, and oceanic acidity as factors leading biodiversity to extinction. Kolbert explains that carbon dioxide is being absorbed by the ocean, changing the PH levels, killing coral reefs, and accounting for biodiversity loss. I found it interesting how these factors are connected, showing that there is no simple solution. However, Kolbert does not say how these factors have directly lead species to extinction. In addition, Kolbert tries to understand why warming today is taking place at least ten times faster than it did at the end of the last glaciation and how trees are going to have to adapt to this change in temperature and carbon emission. Equally important, Kolbert explains that in the past, there was a time of mega fauna, where massive species roamed the Earth. Unfortunately, a massive extinction wiped all of them out, but I was really intrigued by their disappearance and wished Kolbert had wrote more on this topic. Additionally, the book allows readers to grasp the environmental issues we are facing. Kolbert explains that humans need to change the way they treat the …show more content…
Kolbert did a considerable job keeping her journeys exciting, as I could sense the ambition it her words. I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys learning about animals or the history of the Earth. She successfully documented many extinctions of species and provided enough facts to persuade me into thinking humans are heading for extinction. As Kolbert travels along side paleontologists, biologists, and climatologists she writes down their insight ultimately connecting each of her ideas with the idea of the Anthropocene. I must say there were times in the book where I had to search up unknown vocabulary and use my critical thinking skills to try and better understand the main idea. The book was very informative, allowing me to learn new words, theories, and concepts which will help me in the future. I enjoyed the fact that she added the beautiful sketches and the odd picture into the book because it kept me interested and curious. This book is important to read because society will see the issues they have caused as well as the threats they pose to biodiversity, and hopefully attempt to make a change. This book would also be important to show climate change deniers, business men who only care about the economy, or even people that believe the environment will regulate itself. Finally, Environmental students would directly benefit from reading The Sixth Extinction as they can take the information