Half of the world’s species could become extinct, biologists say

Here’s the sobering truth: Around half the species on Earth today could disappear by middle of the century, unless we humans can tackle climate change and slow our population growth.

That’s a view shared by leading biologists and ecologists, many of whom are gathering in the Vatican this week for a wonky but optimistic-sounding conference: “How To Save the Natural World on Which We Depend.”

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Scientists estimate that by mid-century, as many as 30 to 50 percent of all species could face extinction.

“The living fabric of the world … is slipping through our fingers without our showing much sign of caring,” the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which organized the conference, said on its website. Read more…

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