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Would The World Be A Better Place Without Us?
What is better anyway?
Many have wondered before what our planet would look like had we never existed.
The Planetary Perspective
Humans’ impact on Earth is more or less significant depending on the scope we use to assess it. For instance, if we adopt a planetary vision, we have barely tickled the Earth’s belly. Ever since I heard Neil Degrasse Tyson reflecting on the topic, I’ve understood that wanting to “save the planet” is almost as arrogant as the actions of those determined to drive the species (and as many others as we can drag with us) to extinction. The planet couldn’t care less about CO2 emissions. We may cook every living thing on it, and the planet will still be fine: it’ll keep on spinning on its axis and around the sun minding its own planetary business. Go ask Venus if it cares much about its 800 degrees celsius on the surface.
The Human Perspective
However, if we adopt a human perspective, the prospects turn bleak: alas, we’re nowhere are resilient as the planet. We are dependent on ecosystems that we have altered beyond recognition. Getting to grips with climate change isn’t about saving the planet: it’s about saving us.