Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor(s)

John Van Buren

Abstract

This thesis will address the possibility of a sixth mass extinction at the hands of humanity and the adaptations ecosystems may undertake in recovery. Today, the world is witnessing incredibly fast changes in climate conditions that are causing severe biodiversity loss. Haiti is a region that encompasses the impacts of both environmental degradation and humanity’s social influences on the environment. Haiti will be examined throughout this thesis to provide an understanding of how climate change impacts people and the natural world today. Non-anthropogenic rapid climate change is the root of most past mass extinctions. However, after these events, ecosystems have recovered, and the niches of lost species have been filled, giving way to new environmental makeups. The first chapter will examine qualitative and quantitative data that suggests a coming mass extinction with the effects of human society’s habits on the natural world and how this is characteristic of a mass extinction event. The current and speculative future rates of extinction will be examined along with the adaptations of wildlife today in a world dominated by humans. The second chapter will use a historical lens to focus on the five past global mass extinctions, considering the causes and aftermaths of these events. The fall of past human civilizations due to environmental degradation and the history of the Anthropocene will be examined. The third chapter will use evolutionary biology and sociology disciplines to examine the speculation of a society and an Earth in the case of anthropogenic mass extinction, contextualized by accelerating climate change. Future changes in evolution and ecosystems due to human activity will be discussed to gain perspective on how extreme human impacts are on nature. Speculation of societies, infrastructures, and more will also be addressed through the effects of climate change. The fourth chapter will discuss political aspects and contemporary governments' measures to avoid mass extinction under modern environmental conditions. The fifth chapter will recommend a policy prioritizing endangered plant and animal species conservation, conservation, and environmental education. Countries that are currently in climate crises will also be prioritized. At the same time, the use of gas, oil, plastics, and more damaging habits will transition into sustainable practices that can support humanity and the living environment.

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