The Fate of the Holocene Epoch
As we approach the sixth mass extinction event on our planet, it becomes increasingly evident that the survival of species will depend on their ability to adapt rapidly to changing environmental conditions. Those that cannot keep pace will face extinction. Anthropogenic climate change, fueled by human activities, has accelerated the rate of mass extinction. It is estimated that over 75% of Earth's species will be lost as the extinction rate reaches unprecedented levels within a relatively short geological timeframe. The current rate of extinction for most animals is equal to or faster than the rates observed during previous extinction events in Earth's history.
Currently, the most vulnerable taxa are characterized by low population densities and small geographic distributions. However, no taxon will be immune to extermination during this forthcoming mass extinction event, which is marked by atypical weather patterns, climate dynamics, and an alarming increase in ecological stressors. Unless immediate mitigation efforts are enacted, the disintegration caused by multiple ecological stressors will continue to intensify, leading to irreparable damages in the coming years. In essence, the outlook is bleak.
Despite the significant damage already inflicted, cumulative efforts have slowed down the rate of mass extinction. However, these efforts alone are insufficient to stabilize the current state of our planet. We require the collective participation of all willing individuals to undergo drastic lifestyle changes that can catalyze the reversal of the damages inflicted upon Earth. However, as we explored in the case of the Exploding Tarsier, not all individuals are willing to partake in this global endeavor to heal our planet. It appears that the reasons for this unwillingness are deeply rooted in their DNA and the internal conflicts they currently face. These conflicts may parallel debilitating disorders influenced by epigenetic factors or external stressors, including environmental pressures and traumas that have influenced how our cells interpret our genetic code.
Remarkably, this global climate crisis mirrors the internal conflicts that humans are grappling with. It is, therefore, not surprising that the anticipated sixth mass extinction event will be driven by humans who are unwilling to confront their personal conflicts. Our planet will remain vulnerable to catastrophic events as long as these individuals with unresolved crises dominate. As Carl Sagan eloquently stated, "a new consciousness arises which sees the Earth as a single organism and realizes that an organism at war with itself is doomed. We are one planet." The interconnectedness of our existence necessitates a collective effort to address not only the external ecological challenges but also the internal conflicts that hinder progress. Only through unity and resolution can we hope to overcome the daunting challenges that lie ahead and ensure the long-term survival of our planet.
Several Circles by W. Kandinsky, 1926
While definitive cures for crises may still elude us, it is essential that we acknowledge and embrace our flaws for personal growth and evolution. By delving into studies on coping strategies and adaptive mechanisms employed by resilient organisms, we can gain valuable insights. Take, for instance, the case of Rosetta and the Transients, where we discovered the adaptive process of horizontal gene transfer (HGT), allowing unrelated organisms to exchange diverse sets of genes for evolutionary and adaptive advantages.
Exploring the gains of transitory and symbiotic relationships across various organisms, from bacteria and archaea to our evolutionary cousins, the choanoflagellates, and other animals, unveils the intricate nature of these interactions. While symbiosis is often associated with cooperation, we must recognize that destructive behaviors persist in nature. Parasites and predators play vital roles, despite their negative connotations, and their ecological implications cannot be ignored.
Ultimately, the destiny of the Holocene epoch lies in the hands of its dominant inhabitants: humans, microbes, or even unforeseen events like asteroids. However, let us not hold onto the notion that only the "good" or the "mutualists" will prevail. As we approach the conclusion of another decade, let us reflect on the timeless wisdom expressed by Dostoevsky:
“And why are you so firmly, so triumphantly convinced that only the normal and the positive - in other words, only what is conducive to welfare -- is for our advantage? Is not reason in error as regards advantage? Don’t we, perhaps, love something besides well-being? Perhaps we are just as fond as suffering?...We are pre-eminently creative animals, predestined to strive consciously for an object and to engage in engineering -- that is, incessantly and eternally to make new roads WHEREVER THEY MAY LEAD.”
References/ Further readings:
Abe, N., Uchida, S., Otsuki, K., Hobara, T., Yamagata, H., Higuchi, F., ... & Watanabe, Y. (2011). Altered sirtuin deacetylase gene expression in patients with a mood disorder. Journal of psychiatric research, 45(8), 1106-1112.
Barnosky, A. D., Matzke, N., Tomiya, S., Wogan, G. O., Swartz, B., Quental, T. B., ... & Mersey, B. (2011). Has the Earth’s sixth mass extinction already arrived?. Nature, 471(7336), 51.
Barrientos, R. M., Sprunger, D. B., Campeau, S., Higgins, E. A., Watkins, L. R., Rudy, J. W., & Maier, S. F. (2003). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA downregulation produced by social isolation is blocked by intrahippocampal interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Neuroscience, 121(4), 847-853.
Ceballos, G., & Ehrlich, P. R. (2002). Mammal population losses and the extinction crisis. Science, 296(5569), 904-907.
Charney, D. S., & Manji, H. K. (2004). Life stress, genes, and depression: multiple pathways lead to increased risk and new opportunities for intervention. Sci. Stke, 2004(225), re5-re5.
Dostoevsky, F. (1961). Notes from Underground, trans. MacAndrew, New York: New American Library.
Dostoyevsky, F. (2017). The possessed. Aegitas.
Drevets, W. C. (2000). Neuroimaging studies of mood disorders. Biological psychiatry, 48(8), 813-829.
Foote, M. (1997). Estimating taxonomic durations and preservation probability. Paleobiology, 23(3), 278-300.
Leakey, R. E., & Lewin, R. (1996). The sixth extinction: patterns of life and the future of humankind. Anchor.
Pimm, S. L., & Raven, P. (2000). Biodiversity: extinction by numbers. Nature, 403(6772), 843.
Sagan, C. (2006). Cosmos. Edicions Universitat Barcelona.
Sagan, C. (2011). The demon-haunted world: Science as a candle in the dark. Ballantine Books.
Tsankova, N., Renthal, W., Kumar, A., & Nestler, E. J. (2007). Epigenetic regulation in psychiatric disorders. Nature reviews neuroscience, 8(5), 355-367.
Weir, J. T., & Schluter, D. (2007). The latitudinal gradient in recent speciation and extinction rates of birds and mammals. Science, 315(5818), 1574-1576.