Earth, 5 billion years; Mankind, 180,000 years. Pollution 200-300 years. Do we seriously think that 200 to 300 years of industrial and such pollution, can undo 5 billion years of evolution of life on earth? When mankind says, "Save the earth from dying," we are wrong. The earth and life on earth will not cease to exist. It is just we humans. So, it is proper that we say "Save the human race from dying?"
Many "environmental movements" are actually meant to benefit humans more than the planet. Not all, but many. For instance, are we really helping the earth by recycling and reusing? Well, does the depletion of world resources and fossil fuels spell doom for the planet? Or does it spell doom for industrialization and, ultimately, civilization? At this point in time, man is so dependent on industries to produce their goods. If it were to come to an end, the world will be plunged in chaos. No cars, no clothes, no readily cooked food.
And what about the planet? It will probably be better off, with no oil slicks, logging and erosion to cause even more chaos. And mankind? Well, if you do something wrong, you will pay for it. So, humans suffer, with the collapse of civilizations and industrial empires, with no more fuel and 'fodder' for their industries. To save their own hides, man has said, "Recycle, reuse, help the planet," as a cover-up to thus lengthen industrial life.
Is deforestation a threat to all life on earth? Well, it is said that if we cut down forests, we have no trees to generate oxygen, the one vital ingredient crucial to all life. Or is it so? Scientists believe that 65 million years ago, oxygen could be as lethal as it is essential now. Then, carbon dioxide levels on earth were high, thus increasing the global temperature. But as plants evolved, they developed photosynthesis as a means of producing food, by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
So, carbon dioxide levels dropped, cooling the world. In this "new world" some plants and animals could not cope and evolve quickly enough, so they died out. Now, if forests are cut down, global temperatures will rise. With this, man may die out, but life will continue, creating new cycles, ecosystems - and evolving to adapt to the changing conditions.
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