Sometimes even well-educated people say some pretty dumb things. Comedians, politicians, and rogue biologists have been known to put forth the idea that, since extinction is a natural occurrence, we should not concern ourselves with species disappearing across the globe. While laissez-faire (letting things take their own course without interference) might improve most public policies, it is reckless to view biodiversity in such a manner. The argument from the “don’t worry about it” camp often goes something like this: “Extinctions happen. Species have been disappearing since the beginning of life on Earth. When one species disappears, another will fill the void.
This lesson is part of Certified Herpetological Guide. Enrollment is self-paced, with no deadline to finish (about 50 hours).
