I’ve been trying to come up with a catchier title than “Extinction Thursday.” I’ve failed. So, readers, it’s up to you. Leave your title in the comments. Since it’s Christmas, I’ll offer a present: If I pick yours I’ll send you a CD of my favorite music. Best prize ever, right?
On to the extinction of the week, Argyroxiphium virescens.
Argyroxiphium virescens
Cute, huh? This Hawaiian composite (plants like sunflowers and daisies) went extinct sometime between 1945 and 1996 due to introduced livestock.
Now you’re depressed, I know. I am too. So what can you do? Climate change is a serious threat to many species and we need to reduce carbon emissions significantly to eliminate that threat. We can put a big dent in emissions by increasing efficiency with existing technologies. Write the Department of Energy today and tell them to prioritize efficiency and set high efficiency standards. It’s like a Christmas present for the planet.