read the excerpt from e.o. wilson’s \the environmental ethic.\\n\nspecies are disappearing at an…

read the excerpt from e.o. wilson’s \the environmental ethic.\\n\nspecies are disappearing at an accelerating rate through human action, primarily habitat destruction but also pollution and the introduction of exotic species into residual natural environments. i have said that a fifth or more of the species of plants and animals could vanish or be doomed to early extinction by the year 2020 unless better efforts are made to save them. . . . as the last forests are felled in forest strongholds like the philippines and ecuador, the decline of species will accelerate even more. in the world as a whole, extinction rates are already hundreds or thousands of times higher than before the coming of man. they cannot be balanced by new evolution in any period of time that has meaning for the human race.\n\nwhat message does the author convey in this excerpt?\n\n- humans need to take action to end further destruction of the natural environment.\n- in the coming years, humans will put forth stronger efforts to save plants and animals.\n- the extinction of plant and animal species is problematic in the philippines and ecuador.\n- in recent years, the extinction rate for many animal species has significantly increased.

read the excerpt from e.o. wilson’s \the environmental ethic.\\n\nspecies are disappearing at an accelerating rate through human action, primarily habitat destruction but also pollution and the introduction of exotic species into residual natural environments. i have said that a fifth or more of the species of plants and animals could vanish or be doomed to early extinction by the year 2020 unless better efforts are made to save them. . . . as the last forests are felled in forest strongholds like the philippines and ecuador, the decline of species will accelerate even more. in the world as a whole, extinction rates are already hundreds or thousands of times higher than before the coming of man. they cannot be balanced by new evolution in any period of time that has meaning for the human race.\n\nwhat message does the author convey in this excerpt?\n\n- humans need to take action to end further destruction of the natural environment.\n- in the coming years, humans will put forth stronger efforts to save plants and animals.\n- the extinction of plant and animal species is problematic in the philippines and ecuador.\n- in recent years, the extinction rate for many animal species has significantly increased.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

  • Analyze Option 1: The excerpt states species are vanishing due to human actions (habitat destruction, etc.) and that better efforts are needed to save them, implying humans should act to stop further environmental destruction. This aligns with the main message.
  • Analyze Option 2: The excerpt says "unless better efforts are made", not that humans will put forth stronger efforts. So this is incorrect.
  • Analyze Option 3: The excerpt uses Philippines and Ecuador as examples of forest strongholds being felled, not that the extinction problem is only there. So this is incorrect.
  • Analyze Option 4: The excerpt says extinction rates are hundreds or thousands of times higher than before man, not just in recent years. Also, the main message is about the need for action, not just stating the rate increase. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. Humans need to take action to end further destruction of the natural environment.