Earth at the present moment is now experiencing the greatest mass extinction of species since the age of the dinosaurs, and the sixth in the history of the world. This one is different though and accelerated by man's activities. It is considered by most scientists to be an even bigger problem than global warming (which is only one of the causes), and the projected catastrophic loss of species and accompanying reduction in genetic biodiversity will have exceedingly dire consequences for us all if it comes to pass. This is one of the major threats to human existence. If we succeed in destroying the complex genetic matrix that is the biosphere, then things will really get strange, making the global warming effects -the monster hurricanes and torrid heat waves -we are currently experiencing seem like the good old days..