Overpopulation: The Cause of our Extinction?
With documented history only covering a small portion of the most recent second in the cosmic year, the human species only formed a few short seconds ago.
Professor Frank Fenner, an esteemed Australian scientist who contributed to the smallpox eradication, warns that due to overcrowding, environmental degradation, and climate change, mankind will likely become extinct within the next 100 years. According to Fenner, an emeritus professor of microbiology at the Australian National University in Canberra, homo sapiens will not be able to withstand the population growth and "unbridled consumption," and will likely become extinct within a century along with many other species. Fenner told The Australian that he makes an effort to keep his pessimism to himself because so many people want to take action but keep putting it off. Fenner is the author or co-author of 290 academic papers and book chapters in addition to 22 books. One of the World Health Organization's biggest accomplishments is still regarded as his declaration of smallpox eradication to the World Health Assembly in 1980. The consequences we have had on Earth since industrialisation, he claimed, rival the effects of ice ages or comet impacts, and that it is too late to reverse the situation.
Retired professor Stephen Boyden, a colleague of Professor Fenner's, however, expressed continued optimism that knowledge of the issues will grow and that the radical adjustments needed to attain ecological sustainability will be implemented. "While there is still some hope, it is worthwhile to make an effort to find a solution. Boyden added, "We don't have the political will, but we have the scientific expertise to do it." These words stand true to this day.
Bibliography
Humans will be extinct in 100 years says eminent scientist (phys.org)
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