if a species of animal dies out why should i care?

Question

the fossil records tell us almost all animals that have ever lived on earth have died out that adds up to thousends of creatures. so why should i care if the panda, polar bear or ape etc are wiped out. what diffrence will it make

Answer 1

Cause and effect. Biodiversity has a tremendous impact on the delicate balance of life on Earth. Species are becoming extinct at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic disturbances. So, to answer your question, "Why should I care?":

If you want to talk about the direct impact on humanity, we can talk in terms of how loss of species affects our own ability to adapt and survive. Take, for instance, the practical benefits of discovering a new species of plant, extracting its chemical components, and developing a new vaccine with it. As we clear-cut forests, the unintentional impact is that we destroy undiscovered species as well. That could delay, or even halt, the development of compounds which could greatly benefit humanity.

You could probably give a damn about pandas or apes, and I can understand your rationale, being a human far detached from nature. However, these species also play a role as crucial links in food webs, amongst many other factors.

The short version is--we don't know exactly what the negative impact of allowing any particular species to go extinct actually is. However, we do know that it is in our best interest, and in the interest of the environment, to preserve these species; not to destroy them.

Answer 2

All of the above answers contain important points, and you should think about the information provided. However, perhaps this will "hit a little closer to home" for you.
How would you like it if cows became extinct and you could no longer have a steak, a hamburger, or roast beef?

Answer 3

we DO worry about people starving and dying in Africa or other places. but there's not a lot we can do, bar donating money. (which i do). their fate is in the hands of the Gods, and of people far more influential than us. why shouldn't we care about animals? it IS terribly sad when species reach extinction, especially when that extinction has been brought about by our own selfishness and foolhardiness. why is there not room in your heart to care for both animals and people?

Answer 4

I'll give you just one example. The qu'nople plant is extinct now, because it's seeds needed to be eaten and eliminated by dodo birds before they could sprout. But, it would have turned out that the leaves of the qu'nople plant could have been used to make a cure for cancer. But the last dodo died before 1700.

Answer 5

becuz in the past thousand years animals hav bin wiped out naturally as part of our eaths cycle. we as humans r destroyin habitat and making these animals like panda, polar bear and so on become extinct faster its not rite cos 1 day we'll have nothing left to live off of or eat and we'll all die. (how depressing)

Answer 6

If it was natural,there would be not much we could do but in the case of the magnificent tiger and rhino for instance..it is humans that are wiping them out.
The world would be a worse place without them.I'd rather save the animals and execute murderers etc (the world would be a much better place without them).

Answer 7

All species are tied together in some way. Just because we don't know what the ties are, that doesn't mean that the ties aren't important. There's a quote from John Muir that says, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." That's a good one to think about for a while.

Answer 8

I would be pissed off if through your carelessness species such as those you mention died out. They are not yours to dispose of or fritter away, so even if you have no interest in them don't be so selfish, plenty of other people do value them. I find the richness of the natural world an inspiration and would be depressed and feel guilty if my children's experiences and choices were reduced or impoverished by my own careless ignorance.

Answer 9

It will make a HUGE difference. Many of the earth's resources come from animals. Fur coats, hot dogs, hamburgers,milk, etc, all come from animals. I know you wouldn't want to live without some of those items, now would you?

Answer 10

You should care because on animal dieing off will effect the entire ecosystem. It can cause other animals to die off or leave the area. Each animal has a important purpose in the delicate ecosystem. One animal dieing off can ruin a ecosyem or change it greatly.