A geological insight to combat (the) well-meaning but seriously flawed position that "we live on a fragile planet now subject to permanent derailment by human intervention and that humans must act as stewards for this threatened world." Such views are rooted in the old sin of pride and exaggerated self-importance. We are one among millions of species, stewards of nothing. By what argument could we, arising just a geological microsecond ago, become responsible for the affairs of a world 4.5 billion years old, teeming with life that has been evolving and diversifying for at least three-quarters of that immense span? Nature does not exist for us, had no idea we were coming, and doesn't give a damn about us.

Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History (1990)

This assertion of ultimate impotence could be countered if we, despite our late arrival, now held power over the planet's future. But we don't. We are virtually powerless over the earth at our planet's own geological time scale. All the megatonnage in our nuclear arsenals yield but one ten-thousandth the power of the asteroid that might have triggered the Cretaceous mass extinction. Yet the earth survived that larger shock (which) paved the road for the evolution of large mammals, including humans. We can surely destroy ourselves, and take many other species with us, but we can barely dent bacterial diversity and will surely not remove many million species of insects and mites. On geological scales, our planet will take good care of itself. Our planet simply waits.

Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History (1990)


In the contemporary world the extinction of Homo sapiens would be beneficial to the Earth's Community of Life. The destruction of natural habitats by housing developments, industrial complexes, and airports would cease. The poisoning of soil and pollution of rivers would come to an end. The Earth would no longer have to suffer (the results of) modern technology, uncontrolled population growth, and wasteful consumption. Life communities would gradually be restored to their former healthy state. Tropical forests would again be able to make their full contribution to a life-sustaining atmosphere for the whole planet. The lakes, oceans, and wetlands of the world would slowly become clean again. Spilled oil, plastic trash, and even radioactive waste, after many centuries might finally cease doing their terrible work.

Paul Taylor, Respect for Nature (1986)

Given the disappearance of homo sapiens, not only would the Earth's Community of life continue to exist but in all probability its well-being would be enhanced. Our presence, in short, is not needed. If we were to take the standpoint of that Life Community and give voice to its true interest, the ending of the human epoch on Earth would most likely be greeted with a hearty "Good riddance!"

Paul Taylor, Respect for Nature (1986)