Most people don’t live in natural settings, and even when they do, awareness of species extinction is scant because a lot of the losses are not blatantly obvious. So how does one conduct studies of vast numbers of species within each nation? This is a dedicated effort that involves hundreds of qualified observers and non-profit organizations, if not more. It is a time-consuming and seemingly thankless job. The purpose isn’t just to collect data, but also to establish protected areas for various species, whether seriously, endangered or under stress.

In Latin America, since 1970, there’s been an 83% decline in the number of species found in rivers and lakes. Possibly 50% of insect species have died off there in this time frame. In selected studied populations there’s been a 94% decline in each species (if that is being properly addressed).

Worldwide, only 3% of ecosystems remain intact. Regarding invasive species, during the 20th century and since then, on account of the increase in world travel and wildlife trade, we may witness the extinction of one million plant and animal species.

Our ecological dilemma should be examined from the perspective of biodiversity combined with climate change. If you are middle-aged or older and live near the ocean (or have travelled there) it should be evident that the number of sea shells by the shore line was once abundant and have now almost vanished.

University of Tokyo philosophy professor Kohei Saito’s “Capital in the Anthropocene” makes a case for the concept of “degrowth” in Japan. The nation is being ecologically ruined. The population is shrinking and economic stagnation has continued for decades. The Japanese people are becoming disillusioned with the idea that capitalism is able to solve their problems, which includes caring for an aging society. Saito asserts that increasing consumption in a wealthy country actually lowers the quality of life.

Consumerism was okay when the people were poor, but not now. We should all keep this concept in mind because this socio-economic paradigm may spread to other developed countries and it may be our only route to salvation. Mr. Saito rightly dislikes the Chinese and Russian systems of government but still sees a positive aspect within the principles of communism, mainly if the people try to live cooperatively and help each other. This actually happened in the early days of labor unions in America – an unmentioned point in his book. An English translation of Saito’s book is in the works.

Remember that Japan is still the third-largest economy in the world, so industrial production and its associated commerce cannot have contracted all that much in recent times. But the Fukushima nuclear plant’s contamination and the inept efforts to contain the toxicity are imprinted in the collective spirit of the whole country. Meanwhile, there can be bright spots in a stagnant economy: you can now rent a two-bedroom apartment in Tokyo for the equivalent of $1,000 per month.

A. Frank

Phillipsport