Chris Packham: We're precipitating a mass extermination event

Our world has led a long, sometimes tumultuous and always complicated life. Telling that story is no small feat, but Earth, a five-part BBC documentary narrated by naturalist Chris Packham, sets out to do so by looking at significant moments in Earth's history, "its first step, its first word, its first marriage", says Packham. "And we've been very much driven by some of the more exciting new science as well."
While the series deals with Earth's history on a geological scale - including how the climate has changed radically, often over millions of years, and sometimes with astonishing results - for Packham, it is the much more-recent legacy of accelerated human-driven climate change and biodiversity loss that troubles him the most. "I'm slightly troubled by the word loss," says Packham. "We haven't lost the species. We haven't inadvertently left them behind the shed. We've destroyed them or we've destroyed their habitats. So it's not a sixth mass extinction event that we're precipitating, it's a mass extermination event."
There is, however, still time to make a difference, he says. "As a conscious organism, precipitating that type of event isn't conscionable from my perspective, which is why I would rather do something about it."
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Learn more ➤ www.newscientist.com/article/2381475-earth-review-bbc-tells-terrifying-story-of-our-planets-great-dying/
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[@PixelRatedGames]

PACKERS! I was raised on Packham and Strachan via their various shows (I simply HAD to watch the Really Wild Show every day it was on!). Chris is such a massive hero of mine, what an amazing person who I'll always be thankful for, for my own love of the natural world. Much love, Chris!

[@nicennice]

I'm the same age as Chris and I too was a punk rock bird watcher (stop laughing) up for The Stranglers and The Clash and Bearded Tits whenever I could see one (I don't mean David Bellamy). I still share Chris' passion for nature and I wholeheartedly agree with his point of view and the way he expresses it. We are just a passing phase in the Earth's history and we can either shine and wonder at being part of it or act like selfish, self-destructive idiots and be willing architects of our own demise just so that we can 'shop til we drop'.

[@katiejess9801]

at this moment im watching his film "" EARTH" absolutely brilliant , the earth warms up , melts the conveyor belt , and then from the snow melts cools the waters and freezes earth , this has been going on for millions of years only now humans is in this wonder of the world we live in ,lov chris packham beautiful filming and knowledge .

[@victorschwanberg]

Nice one Chris!

[@joso7228]

Convincing Big Oil to REBRAND as Energy Companies so they can profit by fully investing in Renewable Energy whilst Oil sales decline. That has to be a major target for all of us to use our powers of persuasion in whatever way.

[@jamesrmorris1952]

We have to live, these types say "the solutions are out there" but rarely if ever do they say what solutions that will replace oil and work. Solar, wind and wave won't do it we needed to build nuclear power stations years ago but people like Chris were dead against it. It's all very well saying just stop oil when what they are saying is "just stop poor people from being able to make their lives better, heat their homes, get food at reasonable prices, have affordable transport etc" but Chris will be okay when they take your car that you can't afford to replace, Chris won't be slogging in the Cobalt mines for the batteries, Chris won't be cold and going hungry because he can't afford food and heating, Chris will be okay so don't worry just stop humans expect Chris and his middle class friends.

[@bearsbreeches]

When I want rain for the garden I remember that it once rained for 2 million years 😅

[@nickjanczak9665]

If only politicians, corporations and most people on this planet had half the passion of Chris Packham, perhaps then we could begin to really mend the mess we have created.

[@misc_channel]

The reality is that billions would die if we abandoned fossil fuels.

[@keithalderson100]

Chris can you please clarify what it was so long ago in our history, that mankind did to make Greenland green. Thank you.

[@lpen737]

So, Chris. I'm sat here watching your new TV show " Chris and Meg's wild summer" How on earth would it be possible for you to make a show like this without oil. The boats you are travelling in burn diesel, the camera equipment you use is made from plastic, the clothes you are wearing - made from plastic, your shoes - made from plastic. Surely the most environmentally friendly thing to do would be to not make the program in the first place?

[@50_Pence]

Don't be a dick

[@davedavids57]

This ladies and gents is a good combination of the ad hominem, Nirvana and whataboutism fallacies. It's impressive that you managed to fit three logical argument fallacies into such a short bit of writing.

[@kieranharford8755]

i could actually doze off listening to Chris, hes got that magic effect on people, that transports you to a sort of dream, fantasy world.

[@mumo9413]

Moved to a new area 5yrs ago. Seen severe reduced numbers of wild birds, including sparrow hawks. Butterflies, bees, insects. And, were in a very green area! Its incredibly concerning! 😢

[@jagatkrishna1543]

Thanks 🙏

[@steadyeddie7]

My God Chris doesn't look 61. This man will pick up the mantle when the day comes we unfortunately loose Sir David Attenborough.

[@jeffsimon9594]

*lose

[@nathanroche7908]

It is quite a damning indictment of the present era to say Packham is our Attenborough

[@misc_channel]

The reality is that billions would die if we abandoned fossil fuels.

[@emilymorley3655]

the reality is we face our own extinction as a species because we have not abandoned fossil fuels

[@misc_channel]

@@emilymorley3655 Drivel.

[@mumo9413]

Chris should be Environment Secretary!

[@MelbBoy73]

World's leading climate catastrophist!

[@chrisarmstrong8198]

What an infectious sense of wonder this man has.

[@Jack_Warner]

He's a raving lunatic, with severe mental health problems. I think he once admitted that he had something like Asperger's.

[@Tailspin80]

It was a good series and I learned a few things about the key events in geological timescales. My only issue is, did Chris and the camera crew really need to globetrot across half the planet to illustrate it, given the CO2 emissions from all that flying? I’m struggling to square it with Chris on channel four today suggesting that activists would be justified in blowing up oil pipelines. However hard I work at I’m not going to get close to his carbon footprint.

[@carolthomas8528]

We are making a fairly good effort in this country (UK) and many others , mainly in Europe, but what can be done to bring the message home to countries like China and India , and , dare I say , America , a huge offender .

[@BosTaurus-js2ho]

Any kind of agency has rights to life if not vote.From reason as truth,all mammals are agents,so,rationally in our time,have direct rights to life.Rational autonomous human animals correlate duty to honour with no prejudice.Relevant rights,equality and justice.

[@oceanbreeze1440]

Dude it's already too late.

[@betabenja]

always my favourite naturalist children's presenter as a kid. a bit surprised to see him aged, but glad to see he's no less passionate.

[@paulmitchell9975]

What do you mean aged? This guy's in his 60's and is ageing better than Paul Rudd or Keanu ffs.

[@betabenja]

@@paulmitchell9975 "and is ageing better than" .. so, you agree he's aged?

[@paulmitchell9975]

@@betabenja well, we might begin to call him "well preserved", but unchanged would be nearer the mark.

[@misc_channel]

The reality is that billions would die if we abandoned fossil fuels.

[@betabenja]

@@misc_channel and we can't ignore the fact that giraffe's tongues, are indeed, blue.

[@1EarthWays]

Your passion is so infectious Chris. Thank you for what you do!

[@keithbrandon3660]

Tell you what packham go and build yourself a hut in the forest and leave the rest of us to get on with our lives as we see fit.

[@SeanScot36]

I think humans will become extinct.

[@carolthomas8528]

Yes , and it won’t be long !

[@jeffsimon9594]

Why don't you lead the charge?

[@katiedid1851]

You are clear and informative I find global warming and the speed with which it is happening, frightening. Extermination is correct

[@joso7228]

Thanks Chris. Earth - BBC iPlayer. I'm on it. EV n Solar Panels in post. What else can we do?

[@anundyingfire]

So far I've watched 4 episodes of his show Earth and it's excellent. My admiration of him has gone leaps and bounds.

[@jordenflorence5294]

Thank you so much Chris Packham for speaking out. The new TV series is fantastic one of the best in a long time

[@derekclark4762]

The jolly band of scaremongers, do something constructive for a change!!

[@dannytoots6635]

and yet the vast majority would defer to Julia fucking Hartley-Brewer for their verdict on the climate crisis. We are doomed. So doomed.

[@kennethmidwinter982]

Chris your knowledge of the last 50 000 years of our planets recovery is shallow. Your current views are worrying. Your understanding of how the universe works is also worrying. I used to look forward to viewing your programs on various tv productions. Good god where has it all gone wrong. Yes you are right in your concept however your delivery is flawed. Look to the next 10,000 years not tomorrow. You are short sighted and have little knowledge of the effects of the last ice age. Bless you my friend. Not for me. Extended you’re knowledge. Kind regards.

[@pauladams1829]

❤

[@jackyli3542]

Speaking the word of his master the WEF

[@lpen737]

Hypocrite springs to mind. The planet needs saving but I'm going to make TV shows that contribute to the problem.

[@50_Pence]

It's called education. It's where you share information with people who are not informed to benefit them or others.

[@joannelewis3390]

Keep doing what your doing Chris

[@Henry-ec5iq]

Such an eloquent and passionate voice - long love Chris packham !!

[@BosTaurus-js2ho]

OK

[@unknownsources4696]

Humans u mean

[@timhicks2154]

Hilarious! Haven’t laughed so much in ages. Mass extinction event, my hairy arse. 😂😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡

[@DeanWright]

Naturalist and "broaRdcaster"?

[@NewScientist]

Because we're human too. Sorry 😞

[@DeanWright]

@@NewScientist it happens! 😁

[@ghotio1927]

Chris sells a range of natural fibre clothes , but still chooses to wear goretex and poly nylons . He is a passionate farce .

[@OldScientist]

Extinction rates (1500-2009) peaked around 1900 at 50 per decade. Extinction rates have declined dramatically to around 4 to per decade in the 2000s. So extinction the rate is very low: 900 known lost species for 2.1 million known species in 500 years (IUCN), so from observations there are an average of slightly less than 2 species lost every year. Out of a known species total of over 2 million. That gives an annual percentage loss of less than 0.0001%. That's background extinction. At that frequency it will take over 930,000 years to reach 80% extinction of species experienced at the K-T boundary that saw the extinction of the dinosaurs. Of course, extinction is a natural part of the evolution of life on this planet with the average lifespan of a species thought to be about 1 million years (cf 930,000). It is estimated that 99.9% of all plant and animal species that have existed have gone extinct. It should also be noted that no families or genera have become extinct in the last 500 years. In fact marine diversity at the taxonomic level of families is the highest it has ever been in the Earth's long history (see Sepkoski Curve).