I read a while back that if climate change
Continues to progress unabated,
The existence of ONE in SIX species
On our planet could be ill-fated.

In other words, one in six
Of Earth's species could disappear
By the end of the 21st century
As conditions become more severe.

As extinctions threaten many species,
Experts exhort us to banish doubts.
Many can't adapt to heat waves,
Rising sea levels, and horrible droughts.

According to scientists, five mass extinctions
Have occurred since this planet's birth.
The next one will be the first
Largely caused by humans on Earth.

Earth--five billion years of age,
And look at the effects of mankind's blight.
Actually, relatively speaking,
We have done this overnight.

Some people say, "Ah, whatever!
By that time I won't be around."
Do these people hear themselves
And know how stupid and selfish they sound?

If we want to save our earth,
We can't survive by constantly taking.
Mankind's modus operandi
Is to push to the point of breaking.

The future of Earth rests in our hands.
What do we want our legacy to be?--
Dwindling food supplies, political chaos,
Polluted land, a poisoned sea?

- by Bob B