Twyla Smith - 1/23/2016 - You cannot eat money

You cannot eat money

January 23, 2016 

Published Feb. 1

The letter by Giselle Vandrick (Jan. 15) brought to mind the Cree Indian prophecy: “Only after the last tree has been cut down, only after the last river has been poisoned, only after the last fish has been caught, only then will you find that you cannot eat money.”

We’re experiencing the worst spate of species die-offs since the loss of the dinosaurs. Scientists estimate dozens of plants and animals are becoming extinct every day. As many as 30 percent to 50 percent of all species are possibly heading toward extinction by mid-century.

Unlike past mass extinctions, caused by asteroid strikes and volcanic eruptions, 99 percent of currently threatened species are at risk from human activities, and global warming is a big factor. 

The ocean is of special concern. Like the bottom piece of a Jenga puzzle, once removed, all the other life systems may come crashing down – including our own.

Twyla Smith

Madera

http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article55897425.html