Given the Immanent Extinction of the African Elephant, What Should We Be Thinking About the Future of Humankind?

African elephants will likely become extinct by 2020 if the current widespread poaching continues. Long-time ranger and conservationist Rory Young says that given the current rate of slaughter, he’s “absolutely convinced” that African elephants could indeed be annihilated in the next six years.  Per the article linked above (and don’t read it if you’re not braced for some horribly disturbing photography): “It’s difficult to know where to start,” Young said, when asked to describe the extent of the African elephant poaching problem. “I could take you tomorrow to a park and show you fresh carcasses. It’s a tidal wave of destruction flooding across the continent.”

My point in bringing this up is only to mention that, as terrible and as apparently hopeless as this situation is, like so many of the other disasters unfolding in front of our eyes, it’s amenable to change. Indeed, the extinction of the elephant, though it appears likely, “is not a foregone conclusion,” Young reports.

As it turns out, the idea that “disaster is not a foregone conclusion” is the theme of my next book. If you don’t mind taking a look at the theme, and making a comment, I’d be much obliged.