Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

The Sixth Extinction came out in 2014, yet it is still deeply relevant today. The notion of the Anthropocene being an era that is distinguished by human-caused extinctions is now a generally accepted one - and that the rate of extinctions is only increasing - is hardly controversial. This book is not about slowing or halting it, nor is it firmly couched in the idea that nothing can be done. Instead, this book is simply setting down the facts that this exists. That this is us. It is left to books such as On Extinctions and Crow Planet to show that things can indeed, and are, being done.

This book is depressing, but all too necessary. It details bit by bit what is happening to the world, how biodiversity has formed over time and is now threatened, and what that may mean for us. The latter half of the book I enjoyed a bit more - if only for my endless fascination with other species of hominids - and I am pleased that this book was before its time with the introduction of the Denisovans to the human tree.

This book should be required reading for all, or at least in all high schools. There is so much to be learned about human nature, and to learn to follow the better angels of it. We may have a madness gene, but we are also cognizant enough to recognize it. There are still things to be done, there is still hope. All does not need to lost, like the moa.