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And that is an extreme understatement. It is almost certain — based on the overwhelming evidence demonstrated by our past and present behavior — that most other species on the planet will cease to exist because of us.

The Atlantic has an interesting story that makes a compelling case for the end of humanity in order to protect all other life on the planet. It presents two arguments in favor of ending humanity. One, as soon as possible to minimize the harm caused by humans. The other, to first preserve human consciousness in a digital form.

While these two arguments have merit, they assume that all of humanity could be willing to perish to benefit other species. Humanity would not have survived all of these thousands of years without a fierce desire to survive, and that mindset is not going to disappear anytime soon.

A third approach is needed, one that recognizes there is a moral imperative to acknowledge that because the planet would be better off without humanity we must immediately do everything within our power to protect it. But because all sentient species have an innate desire to survive, we must do everything we can to protect the planet short of mass suicide.

The result of eight billion people stopping short of mass suicide as we do what we can to protect the planet will be mass extinction of other species. There are too many of us, we consume too much and it will take too much time for us to be educated about what we must do to protect the planet. Some other species will survive, however, and we must protect them.

If we are to continue as a species on a planet with many other species we must fully recognize the damages we cause and accept the guilt that comes from such awareness. And then we must harness that guilt as a call to action from which we cannot turn away. It will be that action that will make it possible for humanity to find the will to continue.

Humans who can continue to live without causing mass extinctions of other species include environmentalists and indigenous people.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/dec/09/us-world-climate-collapse-nations

An interesting story that makes a case for storytelling to save the planet:

https://www.wired.com/story/environment-climate-change-storytelling/