This is (mostly) a non-sequitur to any modern discussion about climate, the atmosphere, and its effects on human life and civilization.
Life, at this point is used to a particular equilibrium. Sure, life has existed at different equilibriums. But we also know when those equilibriums are massively disturbed (via a great oxygenation event, massive asteroid, major volcanic eruptions, etc.) much of the life dies out (obviously depends on the intensity of the disruption) and it takes many years for life to adjust to and make a new equilibrium.
Humanity should be deeply concerned with how deeply we have disrupted the equilibrium, as this disrupts the world and biosphere that sustains us.
It might be useful if you're building an argument that humanity will be better off after the current mass extinction event is over. However, I tend to find this point more often leads to a George Carlin-esque cynicism and nihilism about earth being better off without humans (or human civilization) anyways.
This is (mostly) a non-sequitur to any modern discussion about climate, the atmosphere, and its effects on human life and civilization.
Life, at this point is used to a particular equilibrium. Sure, life has existed at different equilibriums. But we also know when those equilibriums are massively disturbed (via a great oxygenation event, massive asteroid, major volcanic eruptions, etc.) much of the life dies out (obviously depends on the intensity of the disruption) and it takes many years for life to adjust to and make a new equilibrium.
Humanity should be deeply concerned with how deeply we have disrupted the equilibrium, as this disrupts the world and biosphere that sustains us.
It might be useful if you're building an argument that humanity will be better off after the current mass extinction event is over. However, I tend to find this point more often leads to a George Carlin-esque cynicism and nihilism about earth being better off without humans (or human civilization) anyways.