7 Endangered Species + The Human Impact On Them

Throughout world history, Mother Earth has undergone immense transformations, each shaping her into the being she is today. She has witnessed five mass extinctions that have reshaped life on the planet. These events were triggered by natural forces—glacial cooling, ocean changes, massive volcanic eruptions, shifting continents, and even a catastrophic asteroid that ended the dinosaurs. Today, we are living through the sixth mass extinction—but this time, the cause isn’t cosmic or geologic. It’s human. Fossil fuel burning, deforestation, pollution, and overconsumption are driving rapid changes that threaten the delicate balance of life. Scientists estimate that over 80% of species on Earth remain undiscovered—and many of these unknown species may go extinct before we ever even learn they existed, especially small invertebrates, fungi, and microorganisms that are critical to ecosystems. It's also estimated that around 1 million species are currently at risk of extinction due to human activities.