Episode
Are We Living Through Earth's Sixth Mass Extinction?
- Podcast
- All Creatures Podcast
- Published
- Jul 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2443
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Chris recounts how reading a scientific review paper titled “Has the Earth’s sixth mass extinction already arrived?” shifted his career from domestic animal reproduction research at the University of Florida to wildlife conservation and inspired his podcast, emphasizing that science alone isn’t enough without stories. Chris explains mass extinctions are rare, only five in ~540 million years, and contrasts past causes (asteroids, volcanism, climate and ocean chemistry shifts) with today’s human-driven “death by a thousand cuts,” including habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. Chris argues extinction today is often subtle but highlights hope through global conservation efforts, citing northern white rhino embryo work, elephant corridor protection, and many individuals dedicating their lives to saving species. If you enjoy these episodes, you'll love our new Substack. Each week, I dive deeper into the stories behind the podcast, sharing personal experiences from my years in wildlife conservation, reflections on the science, and the remarkable people working to protect our planet. Read the latest essays here: https://substack.com/@cmortensen Timeline 00:00 One Paper Changes Everything 03:17 What Mass Extinction Means 04:20 The Big Five Extinctions 08:08 Humans as a New Force 09:19 Are We in the Sixth 10:10 Background Rate Explained 12:51 Death by Thousand Cuts 15:01 Quiet Losses Up Close 18:23 Why I Stay Optimistic 21:56 Northern White Rhino Lifeline 24:41 Conservation That Cares 28:51 Hope Is Action 32:27 One Story Sparks Change 35:28 Stewards of the Planet 37:12 Final Call to Wonder == Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you ca…