This is a terrible way to frame this.
First, we shouldn't reduce caring about a species to a question of direct empathy, because then we ignore non-mammals.
Second, the real issue is that this is the direct result of human action. Extinction in the abstract isn't a moral wrong.
First, we shouldn't reduce caring about a species to a question of direct empathy, because then we ignore non-mammals.
Second, the real issue is that this is the direct result of human action. Extinction in the abstract isn't a moral wrong.
When taking the long view of evolutionary history, you realize that what really matters isn't individual species, but rather ecosystem stability. Extinction is always happening. Our problem is that the rate of extinction we're causing is far exceeding the normal background rate.
We only have so many resources to devote to conservation, so it needs to be strategic. When we spend millions trying to save a species that has little ecological impact because it happens to be cute and fuzzy, we're being stupid instead of strategic. (I'm looking at you, pandas.)
When "extinction" is communicated to the public as a gentle giant in hospice, it weds the idea of "conservation" to saving all of the cute animals from a cruel fate. Which misrepresents the causes and effects of extinction, and the reasons why conservation is important.
While I always care about the public properly understanding scientific concepts, this issue is especially important because it intersects so heavily with activism, funding, and legislation.
Public outreach for conservation efforts often focuses on the cute pandas, because that's what's going to drive attention, funding, and support for legal species protections. But this funnels resources towards places that aren't always the most appropriate.
When a slimy fish, a stinky bug, or an ugly worm are facing anthropogenic extinction, and conservation is important for the purposes of protecting an entire ecosystem, people just don't care. So we need to scrounge for what's left over from people throwing money at the pandas.
Well, it's not like we can stop the (currently ongoing) sixth great extinction event anytime soon, so maybe I'm just quibbling about the arrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic.
I'm certainly optimistic today.
