The Sixth Extinction: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of The Sixth Extinction, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
A new mass extinction has begun
Kolbert argues that humans are causing the sixth mass extinction in Earth's history.
Species are disappearing at a rate far faster than normal, mainly because of human activity. She presents this as a warning based on scientific evidence.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
Earth has seen five before
Kolbert describes the five past mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out the dinosaurs.
Each was caused by dramatic changes, such as asteroid strikes or climate shifts. These events show that life on Earth can change sharply and quickly.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
Frogs are vanishing fast
Kolbert describes how a fungus spread around the world, killing many frog species, including Panama's golden frog.
Humans helped spread the fungus through travel and trade. Her account shows how one small organism can harm a whole group of animals.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
The oceans are turning acidic
Kolbert explains that carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels is making oceans more acidic.
This threatens creatures with shells and the reefs they build. Small sea animals with shells may struggle to build and keep them in more acidic water.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
Coral reefs are in danger
Kolbert describes how warming and acidification put coral reefs at risk.
Reefs support a huge share of ocean life. Many fish and other creatures live among the reefs, so losing the reefs would affect a great number of species.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
Broken forests lose species
Kolbert explains that cutting forests into small patches causes species to disappear from them over time.
Fragments cannot support the same variety of life. Smaller patches have less room, and animals that need a large space can no longer survive there.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
Species are moved around
Kolbert describes how humans carry plants, animals and diseases to new places, where they can wipe out native species.
She calls this a reshuffling of life on Earth. Newcomers often have no natural enemies in their new homes.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
Humans have done this before
Kolbert describes the extinction of the great auk, hunted to death, and the disappearance of Neanderthals.
She suggests humans have long been a powerful force on other species. These examples suggest that human impact on other species is not entirely new.
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