Societal transformation in need

The Ivory-billed woodpecker is an iconic figure that represents the immediate transformation human society needs to take. Like the extinction of most species, the Ivory-bill dwindled into non-existence due solely to human activities: habitat destruction via logging and overutilization by humans. The loss of the Ivory-bill is not only the loss of one species; it is the loss of an aesthetic figure, a figure with “charisma” as Jonathan Rosen exclaims. In other words, its loss is not merely a numerical or statistical figure, it’s the loss of an enchanting, awe-inspiring creature, a category impossible to put a number on. The loss of this magnificent bird is, unfortunately, not an exception. Hundreds of species have gone extinct, and experts predict that by the year 2050 twenty-five percent of all animal and plant species will be threatened by extinction. We as one species, a comparably minute group to the rest of living organisms at that, have dominated the Earth and all its resources. Many people argue, “Why should we care, extinction is a natural process.” Others say, “It’s innate in beings to strive to be on top and dominate, therefore we are doing nothing wrong.” Well yes, extinction is a natural process, but not at this rate and not under these circumstances. And yes, the realm of nature is based on a hierarchical scheme, but humans are different from most other animals. We have the capability to rationalize, and just because we can does not mean we should. The extinction, or near extinction, of the Ivory-billed woodpecker due to anthropogenic effects reflects the responsibility and special care we must take for Earth and its creatures. Yes the Ivory-bill is just one species, but its one species gone forever, erased from the face of the Earth, and we have no right to make consciously make that decision. We must transform as society from exploiters to caretakers.