- September 30, 2016
- 2:25 pm
- Raymond Benton Jr
- no comments
Five Likely to Survive
On December 12, 2012, Care2 published a short piece which they titled “Species Most Likely to Survive a Climate Change Disaster.” In their republishing of it they wrote, “This post is a Care2 favorite, back by popular demand!” You can read the post here, or read my summary, below.
First, the basic tenet of evolutionary theory, the survival of the fittest, explains why the dodo bird no longer exists and why humans have opposable thumbs. It is all about adaptation–the key to survival. The ability to adjust determines whether obstacles lead to extinction or to a new generation.
Second, human-accelerated climate change is a disaster waiting to happen. We can work to slow climate change, but at this stage there is little chance we can stop it completely. This means adaptation will once again become the most important strategy for survival. They used the word “strategy,” but I would use the word “characteristic.” Strategy is too cerebral for me.
The notion, much used since the 1960s, that we need to “save the earth” is a goofy one. As Paul Hawken has said, We don’t need to save the earth. It will continue to exist. What we need to save is a livable habitat for human beings. So Care2’s question, riding on the notion that the Earth will continue to exist, is this: What will be left behind to inhabit it?
They list five species known for their resilience and ability to survive in adverse conditions. They are, they save, the most likely to survive a climate change disaster. What are the five most likely to survive?
Amazon trees. Certain Amazon tree species have been around for a very long time. Not individual trees, but species of trees. They are susceptible to continued deforestation, but they are likely to withstand temperature changes–the impact of climate change.
Wolves and coyotes. Mammals are particularly threatened, but those for whom roaming is a way of life, those that are used to wandering vast tracts of wilderness in search of food, water and safe shelter, likely have an advantage. Studies show that these traveling carnivores are some of the few species that could keep pace with a changing climate and the relocation of natural resources.
Ants. Oh, great! Ants! But their colonial culture means that ants already know how to work together to assure survival of their queen and, thus, the species. There are a lot of different species of ants (approximately 20,000), located all over the world. They were here long before humans. The odds are good that they’ll be here long after.
Algae. Yuk! But algae are one of the most resilient and versatile species and are, therefore, a strong contender in the race to survive climate change. Algae are incredibly simple organisms that only need a tiny amount of water, sunlight and nutrients to grow and multiply. And algae are one of the few species that has been around since the beginning of evolution. If you a prone to betting, bet on this one.
Cockroaches. Of course, we have all heard about cockroaches before. These creepy crawlers have an amazing ability to survive in the most dire of circumstances. If you live in any urban area you are very familiar with these little creatures. They are creepy. Care2 reports that American cockroaches can survive for weeks in a jar after having their heads removed! Now that is creepy! Read about it here, in Scientific American. When I was young we often heard that cockroaches would survive a nuclear attack. Climate change should be a walk in the park for them.
It might be hyperbole, but did you notice anything in this short list? We didn’t make the list. An interesting exercise would be to look at the five listed—Amazon trees, wolves and coyotes, ants, algae, and cockroaches—to see what characteristics they have and that we don’t that give them the upper hand. Maybe it is simply Care2’s misanthropic attitude. Or maybe they see something, in our greatest wisdom, that we choose not to see.
Since most of my readers, of which I suspect there are not many because there are so few comments posted, are associated with business schools or businesses, it would be a fair exercise to look at the five most likely to survive and see what we might learn and apply to business organizations—or organizations of any kind. What can we learn from trees, wolves, ants, algae and cockroaches that might . . . (you finish the sentence).
Footnote: Care2 is a social networking website founded by Randy Paynter in 1998. The site connects activists from around the world with other individuals, organizations and responsible businesses making an impact. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Care2.