The Role of Conservation Biology in Understanding the Importance of Arctic Sea Ice

Abstract

Guy R. McPherson

The transdisciplinary nature of conservation biology is pivotal to understanding the concept of near-term human extinction. The rate of environmental change impacts the habitat of all organisms, and loss of habitat underlies extinction. These concepts apply to all species, including Homo sapiens. The ongoing and expected rates of environmental change indicate human extinction in the near term, with loss of Arctic sea ice an important driving force.

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