Scientists have long treated mass extinctions as events locked deep in the fossil record. That framing now feels less distant ...

Farther back in our planet’s history, volcanic eruptions, rapid climate change, and plummeting oxygen levels have caused at least four additional mass extinctions, with smaller pulses of biodiversity ...

Humans have wiped out hundreds of species — with many more on the brink or experiencing large declines in population. Some scientists have argued that we have entered a “sixth mass extinction” event ...

Humanity faces a sixth mass extinction. This crisis erases species, impacting science, culture, and spirituality. The loss of unique species means losing potential medical breakthroughs and ancient ...

Humans have been shaping their environment since time immemorial. From cities to farms to highways, our impact has grown so large that we've pushed planetary boundaries, fueling concerns about climate ...