read the excerpt from e.o. wilsons \the environmental ethic.\\n\nspecies are disappearing at an accelerating…

read the excerpt from e.o. wilsons \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. wilsons \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:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

  • Option 1: The excerpt says "unless better efforts are made to save them" but the main focus is on the current extinction rate, not a call to action as the primary message.
  • Option 2: The excerpt states the need for better efforts but doesn't claim humans will put forth stronger efforts.
  • Option 3: The Philippines and Ecuador are examples of forest strongholds, not the main focus of the problem of extinction.
  • Option 4: The excerpt clearly states "Species are disappearing at an accelerating rate... extinction rates are already hundreds or thousands of times higher than before the coming of man", which matches this option.

Answer:

D. In recent years, the extinction rate for many animal species has significantly increased.