Extinction by ignorance! ... or... Why does every single species matter?

Life originated and has diversified on Earth since 4 billion years ago. During this period, five major catastrophes happened when up to 90% of all species were extinct. Those mass extinctions were caused by rearrangements of the Earth continental plates, volcanic eruptions, climate change, or due to the impact of large asteroids.

Now, a sixth major extinction is happening, but this time it is caused by a single living species: human beings.

• What are the principles that may stop us from exterminating other known and unknown species? 

• Can humans rationally justify the expansion of their cities and farms at the expense of driving several other living organisms to potential extinction? 

• What does the loss of some species mean to us and to life on Earth?

In this conversation we will discuss the importance of all species to maintain healthy ecosystems, as well as their importance in providing direct services to us. We will examine how our limited understanding about the role of species may drive ourselves to extinction.

Introduction by André Frainer
Andre is a visiting researcher at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology at the University of Tromsø. His home university is in Umeå, Sweeden.


Place: Skarven bar
Date: 16. March 2013  
Time: 11:15 - 13:15

This philosophical conversation will be in English.
Everyone is welcome!