Towards the end of 2018 I was searching the internet for ideas and book suggestions for the new year. During my search I stumbled upon ValueWalk’s May article which listed 196 book recommendations from Bill Gates. The list is of topics within that list is as broad as it is deep. There is pretty much something for everyone. While there will be several other titles from that list to show up in the future I began with Elizabeth Kolbert’s book, The Sixth Extinction.
While I am not a vocal nor engaged environmental activist, I am of the belief that our planet is changing and as the dominant species we have a responsibility to examine what is happening and what the results of such change my be. Whether one is of the belief that humankind is directly responsible or whether our world is simply changing of its own accord, we must take the time to investigate from a point of neutrality and let the chips fall. If we are a contributing factor then we must take action, if the planet is on a path allies own we have just as much at stake.
In Elizabeth’s book, The Sixth Extinction, she explores earths previous five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. She then travels around the globe to meet with scientists who are currently monitoring the possibility of the beginnings of a sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.
A note of caution, this book attempts to discuss and impart some very scientific topics to the average lay person. There is a steep scientific vocabulary used throughout the text and could cause reading stagnation if not prepared. Depending upon ones background or extracurricular studies, this text might take some time to go through and digest. However, the time and energy is worth the commitment for a chance to understand one perspective amid a serious and diverse topic.