A NEW ASTEROID ?

THE NATURAL EVOLUTION

Over the course of Earth’s evolution, which began more than 4 billion years ago, countless species of plants—and later, animals—have emerged. It began—from molecules that grew very slowly and became increasingly complex, in a way that is still not fully understood—with extremely small, single-celled organisms, such as microbes, bacteria, and algae, all of which lacked a distinct nucleus but already possessed the potential for growth, differentiation, reproduction, and fusion. From there, more complex organisms emerged, in which a distinct cell nucleus also developed. That was a huge leap forward and gave rise to an astonishing number of variations in increasingly complex organisms. Scientists readily speak of thousands, even tens of thousands, of species, soon in this emergence.

DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIES

That was the beginning of an evolutionary process, the “results” of which we now see, after billions of years: the unimaginable diversity of plants and animals.
And that diversity is further differentiated according to the “environment.” In the many different parts of our world—with varying climates, soil types, humidity levels, temperatures, and so on—entirely different plants and animals have also emerged. What you encounter in your own environment is only an extremely small fraction of what has come into existence and still lives today.

We’ve all heard of Charles Darwin, who, after extensive research during various sea voyages, wrote his famous book in 1859: *On the Origin of Species*, in which he explains how species develop and adapt over the centuries. The book concludes—in a “non-scientific” manner—with a paean to the unimaginable diversity, beauty, and intelligence of nature.
Darwin also observed how species succeed one another: new species gradually replacing earlier ones because they harmonize even better with their environment or are better adapted to it. His examples of the development of different beak shapes in finches in response to varying needs are widely known.

SPECIES ARISE AND DISAPPEAR

Darwin and countless other researchers have already described not only how species arose and evolved, but also how many species have disappeared. As we know, this applies to human species as well. Homo sapiens, to which we count ourselves, was preceded by a whole series of earlier species, such as Homo faber, Homo erectus, and Homo habilis, which in turn evolved from one of the primate species.
This alone is so impressive!
And to realize that plants—and the animals that evolved from them—had already existed for many millions of years before the first hominids “appeared” some 200,000 years ago.
These have all been very natural and gradual processes, spanning millions of years.

As a natural part of the evolutionary process, one species or another becomes extinct over time. The species reaches the end of its evolutionary trajectory and slowly dies out. The resulting gap provides space for another organism to settle there and evolve. Over millions of years, the natural background rate of extinction was approximately one to five species per year.

Although the exact number of plant and animal species on our present planet remains unknown and scientific counting methods vary, a widely discussed study currently estimates that there are a total of 8.7 million known species, of which approximately 6.5 million live on land and 2.2 million in water. It is generally agreed that these figures fall far short of the actual number of species on Earth. Many species, particularly those with a smaller range and especially those of very small size, have not yet been discovered or studied.

But just imagine all the species we can already easily see:
Bat,  cat, rat, dog, pig, fox, baboon … blackbird, blue jay, goldfinch, scarlet macaw, white-tailed cockatoo, red-tailed hawk  … daisy, rose, petunia, poppy, lilac, buttercup, crocus,  ... ant, bee,  cockroach, fly, butterfly, wasp,   ... eel, perch, trout, swordfish, herring, tuna, cod, ... apple tree, oak, maple, willow, magnolia, sequoia,  ... and so on, and so on.
Truly, as the psalm says: “The earth is full of Your creatures!” (104:24)

CATASTROPHES

Over all those millions of years, there have also been quite a few “catastrophes” (extinctions), which caused much—and sometimes nearly all—life to disappear—only to see new and even much more diverse life emerge afterward. Incidentally, these “catastrophes” unfolded very gradually over periods of tens of thousands of years—and even longer—during which entirely new forms and species developed, sometimes initially “hidden” or indirect. The power and creativity of life are unimaginable.

The most “recent” extinction is probably the best known. That catastrophe took place about 66 million years ago and did indeed begin with a sudden event. Quite a few movies have depicted the impact of an asteroid on a part of our planet that is now Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. You can see (the traces of) the enormous crater, several kilometers wide. After that massive impact, nearly the entire Earth was plunged into darkness due to the enormous amount of dust that spread almost worldwide and persisted for decades. It became dark and cold (because the sun’s rays could no longer penetrate the atmosphere), and alongside so many other animals, the (large) non-flying dinosaurs in particular, perished. This dramatic and global event had profound consequences for the plant kingdom and, above all, for the animal kingdom. Because the sun was blocked for so long, many plants—which rely on sunlight for photosynthesis—could no longer survive. And a great many animals, which in turn depend on plants for food and require the oxygen that plants produce as a byproduct of photosynthesis, also became extinct.

In the millions of years following that colossal impact, life demonstrated its enduring resilience, and a (further) abundance of plants and animals developed once again. This ultimately became the world in which, some two centuries ago, Charles Darwin made his notes, filled with amazement and wonder.

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

In Darwin’s time, a new phenomenon began to develop with full force in England and other countries of Western Europe—and from there, in North America as well: large-scale industrial activity, driven in large part by James Watt’s earlier invention of the modern steam engine.

This development had enormous consequences, not only for people, trade, the economy, and so on, but also for the plant and animal worlds:
- The great demand for wood for fuel and construction placed an enormous strain on the forests. A great deal of “green” space was also sacrificed for buildings and roads—and the habitat of many animal species became increasingly restricted.
- Industrial waste products could not (yet) be recycled and were often discharged into rivers, ultimately polluting seawater as well, which became increasingly acidified.
- The fuels used for energy generation—primarily coal, as well as gas derived from that coal and the increasingly accessible petroleum—not only produced abundant energy through combustion but also byproducts such as carbon dioxide, methane, particulate matter (soot), and massive amounts of waste material that we still often see in the “coal heaps” near (former) coal mines.
The effects of these gases are now widely known. In the upper atmosphere, they form a sort of “blanket” around the Earth, preventing it from adequately dissipating the heat radiated by the sun, causing the Earth as a whole to continue warming. This results in widespread climate change across our entire planet. In fact, this change is occurring so rapidly and has such a profound impact on livability that many plants and animals cannot keep up. In the past, adaptations to climate change took tens of thousands of years; now, they are happening over the course of decades!

OTHER FACTORS

In addition to these factors that threaten the survival and diversity of plants and animals (habitat loss, pollution, rising temperatures), there are other factors that severely harm the populations and diversity of plants and animals. These include, in particular:
- The introduction and impact of invasive species. These are plant and animal species that do not belong in their new environment and cause significant damage there. They lack natural predators in that environment and displace—or at least threaten—the native plants and animals of a given area. They therefore vary greatly from one region to another.
- Lack of genetic variation: if the gene pool becomes too small due to a reduced population size (as a result of overhunting, overfishing, etc.), a species loses its natural resilience—and eventually becomes extinct.
- Poisoning caused by the control of “pests” (e.g., insects or plants) using pesticides and/or herbicides. This not only poisons the visiting insects or the seeds and shoots of unwanted plants, but also indirectly affects the consumers of the food produced.
The sharp decline in bird populations is one of the most telling signs.

All these factors combined are causing not only a decline but even the extinction of many plant and animal species.

EXTINCTION

This extinction is particularly serious because of the essential, vital interdependence that is now being disrupted. Some researchers consider the (massive) loss of biodiversity to be just as catastrophic in the long term as climate change, because vital ecosystems are becoming impoverished and dysfunctional (e.g., natural predators that maintain balance e.g., in forests, are disappearing) and food chains are collapsing, losing variety, dynamism, and resilience (e.g., reduced resistance to drought), causing produce to become less healthy (e.g., not fully ripe) or less appealing or more difficult to harvest, etc.

Every species of plant and animal inhabits an ecological niche that provides it with food and shelter. It draws from this niche and, in turn, gives back to the land, water, or air of its habitat.
Through interaction with other organisms in its geographic area, each species forms an integral part of an ecosystem, such as a marsh, forest, desert, mountainous region, coastal area, tundra, prairie, coral reef, and even a city.
In this environment, each species fulfills the essential task of producing the next generation. Taken together, the various species form a web of life that spans the entire Earth and is the defining characteristic of our planet.

Today, the Earth is experiencing what many call the sixth mass extinction of species. According to a groundbreaking 2019 study by the United Nations, more than one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction in the coming decades—and a great many have already gone extinct in a relatively short period of time.
The Earth is currently experiencing the greatest loss of species since the dinosaurs. Such a dangerous depletion of the natural world has never before occurred in the entire history of the species Homo sapiens on this planet. We must acknowledge: NOW WE ARE THE ASTEROID !

A HORRIFYING EVENT

Let’s face the awe-inspiring reality of extinction. When a species goes extinct, it’s not just an individual that dies, but an entire lineage—a unique tapestry of pulsating life that emerged through the process of evolution and exists with unique grace within the ecological community. The horror is that once a species goes extinct, it can never return. There are no more babies, no more eggs, no more seeds. The disappearance is irreversible.
Since evolution requires a flow of genes from ancestors in the past to descendants in the future, their species is permanently severed, bringing the curtain down for good. “Death cuts off life; extinction cuts off birth.” A tear is ripped in the fabric of life on the planet. We should hold funerals.

The extinction of species usually goes unnoticed. They simply die out as a result of habitat loss, pollution, or food shortages. Observers note over many years that their numbers are steadily dwindling, that they are less lively, vigorous, or fertile, until they finally become inaudible or untraceable.

Estimates—which, incidentally, vary widely—indicate that at least one hundred (100!) species of plants or animals disappear every day. Unbelievable!
That would amount to around 35,000 per year—compared to the natural historical rate of extinction of 5 per year.

In the first part of our twenty-first century alone, a great number of various species of plants and animals have gone extinct, such as certain species of ibex, pumas, rhinos, turtles, frogs, tree snails, woodpeckers, and leopards, as well as mussels and freshwater fish, and also various species of shrubs, flowers, and grasses. You can find a wealth of information—often accompanied by beautiful photos of the extinct species—by entering search terms such as “species extinction…” on the internet. You can then narrow your search by time period (e.g., the last year or the last 10 years), your own country or another country, a specific geographic region (e.g., South America), and also by a specific group, such as insects, mammals, fish, birds, grasses, mosses, palms, ...

You’ll find many interesting details about that plant or animal, as well as the likely causes of its extinction. It can be deeply moving to see all that beauty and goodness—all those creative forms of life—that have all disappeared.
As a starting point for your search, here are just a few suggestions: the IUCN’s “Red Lists” at www.iucn.org  or, for mammals specifically, on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recently_extinct_mammals ] or the International Fund for Animal Welfare: www.ifaw.org ]

RELIGIOUS REFLECTION

People of faith are just as concerned about the loss of so much life and so many species as others. They see and experience the incredible richness and beauty of all of nature— from what we call inanimate matter to the ultimate flowering of evolution in humanity, along with the thousands of forms in between - as a manifestation of the Creator’s surpassing goodness, who stands at the origin of all that exists, lives, and “radiates” with inner beauty and meaning.

Pope Francis, who recognizes the tragedy of these vanished creatures, makes a striking religious statement about extinction in his encyclical *Laudato Si*:

“Every year, thousands of plant and animal species disappear that we will never know, that our children will never see, because they have been lost forever. The vast majority go extinct for reasons related to human activities. Because of our actions, thousands of species will no longer glorify God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We do not have that right.” (LS 33)

By driving species to extinction, we humans not only destroy unique, beautiful, and important creatures that play a key role in the web of life, and disrupt the balance of our planet; we also silence the praise of God. And we erase religious knowledge about the Creator of us all.

This religious teaching evokes a strong ethical commitment. If believers truly realized that extinction dims the glory of God on earth and nullifies nature’s revelatory message, that conviction could unleash a powerful motivation for conservation.
To further emphasize this point, Laudato Si’ describes how devastation should affect us: “God has bound us so closely to the world around us that we can almost feel the drying up of the soil into a desert as a physical ailment, and the extinction of a species as a painful deformity” (LS 89).
What an extraordinary idea. The loss of a species should affect us as if our own body had been injured, as if we ourselves had lost a limb.

JOINING FORCES:

One might think that pure human self-interest would be enough to spur efforts to halt this extinction. An impressive collection of millions of species, which has evolved over millions of years, has made the Earth an extremely fertile place, suitable for the flourishing of the human species.

A continuing loss of species is beginning to undermine this life-supporting system and poses a threat to human well-being, both now and in the future. The damage affects indigenous peoples, who have a spiritual and cultural connection to the land, plants, and animals. In fact, it threatens the livelihoods of billions of people who depend on often specific species of plants and animals for food, fuel, medicine and income, among other things. And it weakens every ecosystem on which we humans depend for our survival. In the words of the UN Secretary-General in 2022: “We are committing suicide by proxy.”

However, mass extinction is not inevitable! Since humans are responsible for this extinction, we can also do something about it.
More and more scientists, activists, concerned citizens—young and old—government officials, economists, humanists, poets, and artists are committed to protecting nature.

By consciously reflecting on the necessity and richness of biodiversity—which is now seriously threatened—people of faith in particular—and there are many more than just (the) Christians ! — can draw from a deep well of energy: the realization that all of this is a great gift and that we humans are, first and foremost, fellow inhabitants in a community of creation; co-inhabitants who are privileged to enjoy its riches and who bear an additional responsibility.
Faith and trust in a loving God who is ever-creating, gives ecological commitment an additional impetus.

MANY OPPORTUNITIES

Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in all sorts of ways:
You can get involved hands-on, or offer moral and financial support, or express your sympathy and appreciation through your interactions with others, or deepen your own knowledge and thereby grow in your commitment.
Everyone—sick or healthy, old or young—we can all contribute!

Here are a few examples of ways you can get involved—whether actively, by offering support, or simply by showing interest:

* Support one or more of the many groups and organizations dedicated to nature conservation: read their magazines, offer moral or financial support, and try to get involved in a practical way if possible. They’re easy to find online, and there are likely one or more in your area or situation.

* Protect natural areas: ensure proper management of forests, wetlands, heathlands, and other valuable ecosystems—and, almost as a matter of course, limit deforestation and promote sustainable forestry.

* Restore damaged natural areas: plant trees (or shrubs). Start close to home and, if possible, help restore the banks of streams and rivers—thereby restoring habitat for plants and animals.
Creating food forests (the combination of forestry and food cultivation) is one of the newer and highly effective forms of nature conservation and promoting biodiversity.

* Reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides; use less (or no) synthetic fertilizer, and promote land use and sustainable agricultural methods that consciously support nature. Use organic fertilizers and natural “predators,” which help maintain a healthy balance.

* Prevent pollution: Reduce plastic waste, chemical pollution, and discharges into soil, air, and water. For example, on household level, examine cleaning and cosmetic products that contain toxic or environmentally harmful substances, such as microplastics.

* Combat climate change: Focus on tackling the root cause: greenhouse gas emissions. This can be done effectively by conserving energy and, whenever possible, using renewable energy sources (wind, water, geothermal).

* Combat invasive species: Avoid plants and animals that displace native species. This may require some research specific to your local situation.

* Increase wildlife corridors: Build ecoducts and green corridors so that animals can move safely between natural areas.

* Promote - if you are in the position - sustainable fishing and hunting by establishing catch quotas to prevent overfishing and illegal hunting.

* And last but not least: raise awareness and provide education—inform people about the importance of biodiversity and encourage nature-friendly behavior, such as creating gardens rich in plants and flowers and purchasing sustainable products.

By combining these (and other) measures, governments, businesses, and citizens can work together to make a significant contribution to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity.
There are ways for virtually everyone to contribute.
I hope also for you, dear reader !

What do you think ? Just tell me: j.muijtjens@debeyart.net
Thank you !


Johan Muijtjens
October 2026