Should we protect all species or just the ones that are useful?

[Maizy2008]

Scientists say humanity may be triggering the sixth mass extinction in history. Species are being wiped out so fast!

How much does it matter and what should we do?

[paddywak]

Every thing has its' place in the scheme of things it doesnt matter if its' a fluffy bunny or cockroach even if we don't realise what it is.Unfortunatley because some things look pretty revolting we try to get rid. It's like when you have a clear out and throw something away and then when it's too late you realise that you actually need it. What do we have to do? Unfortunately I can't say mankind has always been pretty destructive and messing about with nature even with the best intentions can some times have disastrous results for local enviroments the introduction of the grey squirell to Britain or rabbits to Australia being two of the better known cases

[Jugglering]

Paddywak.. I was thinking about this very subject earlier... as you do.... lol..

I have often wondered what is the purpose (or point) of the following:-

1. Colds
2. Influenza
3. Humanoids
4. Wasps

Most other *life-forms* seem to have some sort of purpose on this planet (or fit into a balanced eco-system),,, but I can't quite get my head around these four !

[paddywak]

I know just what you mean Jugglering my mind tells me that rats for instance (just the thought of them makes me shudder) must have some use I just can't see it. i know people will say they clear carrion etc but so do other creatures that don't evoke the same rection in people, mosquites are another all they seem to do is buzz around giving people maleria

[Jugglering]

Yep Paddywak... actually I suspect that wasps, like rats and mozzies do have some great purpose on this planet... or that they just fit in with all the other critters.. but colds, flu and other viri (viruses?)...... nope, I really can't get my head around THEIR purpose !

[paddywak]

Harsh though it may seem i often wonder if rats, mossies etc are mother natures way of population control,look at at the black death did in the middle ages or the spanish flu in 1919 and the number of people who die of malaria every year. Nature tends to control the population of other animals and after all thats all humans are another species of animal whether we like the idea or not. As for colds Mrs P says they are sent specially to test womens patience wth the useless partners they've got.

[wildwood]

In order to protect the useful ones we should get rid of the useless ones. Once the world got rid of the most damaging specie ever ,I am sure it will soon repair itself and carry on until the sun goes out.

[paddywak]

Nice idea in theory wildwood, but as we've said the trouble is that we don't always know just what use nasties have and what effect eliminating them will have on the system further down the line

[wildwood]

paddywak, the most damaging species ever to grace this planet by far, is humankind. Once we are gone (or come to our senses as a specie), Nature will repair the planet and adjust the remaining species to live in balance with others as it has 99.9% of the time life has existed on this planet before humans became 'intelligent' through a quirk of evolution.

[wildwood]

Sorry maize2008, that didn't answer your Q.
It matters a lot as not only are we responsible for unnatural extinctions, we are also destroying the basic atmosphere that sustains life.

We need to limit the burgeoning world population through limiting the number of children each couple has - this in itself will take ages to become reality in these PC times.
To give you some idea of how we are expanding... 70,000 years ago (a mere moment in time of evolution) there were 2000 people in the world, in 2000 there were 6 billion, in 2010 there will be 7 billion. This can't go on.

While the Kyoto agreement is not a solution, it is a start but interestingly the worlds biggest polluter is absent so what hope do we have?