Our Vulnerability to Catastrophes and Our Evolutionary Stage are Inversely Related

Abstract

This short essay argues that the vulnerability of organisms to global catastrophes is inversely related to their evolutionary stage. The author outlines the development of life on Earth across six kingdoms, the dominance of plants in global biomass and their role as primary producers, and the position of Homo sapiens at the top of the phylogenetic tree of Animalia, whose cognitive abilities have brought dominance on Earth. Since the discovery of a suitable alternative planet for humanity is considered unlikely in the near future, the essay holds that humanity should reduce man-made threats to its existence, such as overuse of natural resources, destruction of photosynthetic organisms, industrial spills that have intensified extreme weather, and the threat of nuclear or biological weapons, which add to catastrophes beyond human control, such as a large asteroid impact. Considering the extinction of the dinosaurs, the author suggests that a larger catastrophe would destroy almost all life, particularly humanity, whereas simpler life forms, such as some insect species, and bacteria and algae able to enter dormancy, including cyanobacteria with DNA repair potential, might survive and provide the basis of a new tree of life. The essay concludes that the survival prospect declines with traits considered advantageous, such as brain development, so human superiority on Earth may be temporary.

Abstract prepared by the editorial office from the full text of the article; the authors did not supply one.