EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Unlike previous extinction events caused by natural phenomena, the sixth mass extinction is driven by human activity, primarily (though not limited to) the unsustainable use of land, water and energy use, and climate change. Currently, 40% of all land has been converted for food production.

Detailed explanation-2: -The current rate of human-induced extinctions is estimated to be between 100 and 1, 000 times greater than past natural (background) rates. This situation is largely due to the exponential growth in the number of humans on Earth and their activities.

Detailed explanation-3: -More than a century of habitat destruction, pollution, the spread of invasive species, overharvest from the wild, climate change, population growth and other human activities have pushed nature to the brink.