The planet will probably be here longer than humans will be. There are some short term problems with exterminating human life, though. By short term, I mean 100,000 years, or so. There’s an interesting book that came out recently, The World Without Us. Author Alan Weisman starts with the premise of human life disappearing overnight and goes on to describe what would happen to the planet. There’s a good graphic at http://www.worldwithoutus.com/did_you_know.html.

After just 7 days without humans, the diesel generators that cool nuclear power plants will start to run out of fuel and a series of Chernobyl-like meltdowns will occur. Things look sorta grim for ol’ Mother Earth for a few thousand years but she eventually recovers only to later die along with the Sun in about 5 billion years.

Also, regarding: …is it not then true that we should then just exterminate human life to save the planet?

Who is the “we” in your question? The non-humans? Suicidal humans? The master race?

JB

The Fifth Commandment reads:

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:12)

I will without hesitation accept my portion of any blame for any complaints young people may have. I only ask that they also give similar credit for the benefits they enjoy.

When are you going to actually start and do something about it? And why not just start with yourself? or is your life more precious than other life? Why should your life be more precious than the environment?

You don’t have to answer to me, just thought you might you be able to answer some of thoses questions yourself, before you write statements like you did above.