The worst thing that will probably happen-in fact is already well underway-is not energy depletion, economic collapse, conventional war, or the expansion of totalitarian governments. As terrible as these catastrophes would be for us, they can be repaired in a few generations. The one process now going on that will take millions of years to correct is loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the long-term consequences of ecological destruction, particularly the loss of biodiversity.
E. O. Wilson highlights the severity of environmental degradation, arguing that while issues like war and economic collapse can be addressed over time, the damage caused by losing genetic and species diversity is irreversible and will have lasting impacts for millions of years. He suggests that future generations will view this ecological folly as one of humanity's greatest failures.
In practice
In a speech on environmental conservation, one might say, 'As E. O. Wilson noted, the loss of biodiversity is a legacy we must avoid.'
Consider the nematode roundworm, the most abundant of all animals. Four out of five animals on Earth are nematode worms — if all solid materials except nematode worms were to be eliminated, you could still see the ghostly outline of most of it in nematode worms.
Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.
Humanity today is like a waking dreamer, caught between the fantasies of sleep and the chaos of the real world. The mind seeks but cannot find the precise place and hour. We have created a Star Wars civilization, with Stone Age emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology. We thrash about. We are terribly confused by the mere fact of our existence, and a danger to ourselves and to the rest of life.
Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal.
An Armageddon is approaching at the beginning of the third millennium. But it is not the cosmic war and fiery collapse of mankind foretold in sacred scripture. It is the wreckage of the planet by an exuberantly plentiful and ingenious humanity.
It's obvious that the key problem facing humanity in the coming century is how to bring a better quality of life - for 8 billion or more people - without wrecking the environment entirely in the attempt.
In wilderness I sense the miracle of life.
Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.
I climb, I backtrack. I float. I ramble my way home.
Eventually we'll realize that if we destroy the ecosystem, we destroy ourselves.
I flew helicopters, which actually is the second best view of the earth. The first best view is, I think, a little bit higher.
Coral reefs, the rain forest of the ocean, are home for one-third of the species of the sea. Coral reefs are under stress for several reasons, including warming of the ocean, but especially because of ocean acidification, a direct effect of added carbon dioxide. Ocean life dependent on carbonate shells and skeletons is threatened by dissolution as the ocean becomes more acid.
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