and the journey continues...

Endangered Earth journal launches this week.

The Plight:

It is currently estimated that 15,589 species (both plant and animal) are in danger of becoming extinct, this according to The World Conservation Union (IUCN). This includes one in three amphibians and almost half of all freshwater turtles, one in eight bird species and one in four mammals.

All of these species are in danger of being pushed from the face of the Earth by humans, and human activity, over the next few decades.

Animals like the bonobo, the Humboldt penguin, the African painted dog, the Manchurian crane, the Indochinese tiger, and many, many lesser known species. Species who are –without intervention- just standing in line to join the other 800 or so species that have been forced into extinction by human activity over the last 500 years.

And that is a tragic thought.

Can we even begin to imagine what extinction is? Extinction is the death of a species.

It is the death of every Caribbean monk seal that once graced the waters of North America. It is the death of every Dusky seaside sparrow that once flew the sunny skies of Florida. It is the death of every single Bali, Caspian, and Javan tiger that once prowled and graced the jungles of Asia.

It is not the death of an animal, it is the death of every animal of its kind. Period.

This journal is about the plight of animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. Or simply, it is about endangered animals.

And what endangered means is that without significant human intervention, the species will most likely become extinct within 15 to 20 years.

This week 2-3 journal entries will be posted which will provide informaton on animals that are endangered. These will include snapshots like the one here about the Siberian tiger and will also include other observations about the animal and its plight.

The journal entry will also point to relevant news from Endangered Earth News and will have additional relevant material as well such as reports from government agencies and zoos and aquariums.

It will also on ocassion, feature some materials from the Rock and the Environment show such as this clip from Peter Gabriel. And on occasion some never before heard Rock and the Environment interview clips will be posted as well.

At its core, the point of this journal is to promote the plight of endangered animals.

However if the entries generate thought, discussion and actions amongst those who read it, which in turn benefit the animals, then so much the better.

Craig Kasnoff

For more information on this and other endangered animals visit Endangered Earth at http://endangeredearth.com/