Last summer when a meteorite from Mars was discovered to contain signs of bacterial life, it made headlines. There are about 1.5 million species on Earth described scientifically. There are maybe 50 to 100 million more species alive on this planet, none of which we know. But there's not much excitement about saving life on Earth, and life on Mars is safe until humans get there.
We have to protect what we have. Large animals need areas to live in. If you protect these areas, you’re also protecting thousands of other plants and animals. You’re saving all these species that future generations will want -- you’re saving the world for your children and your children’s children.
The destruction of a species is final. If you lose a species, you lose the genes, you lose all the potential drugs and potential foods that could be useful to the next generations. The ecosystem will not function as they have.
There are never victories in conservation. If you want to save a species or a habitat, it's a fight forevermore. You can never turn your back.
Last updated on 12/24/06 2:35 AM
