Blame humanity

I refer to this week’s letters from Carolyn Taylor and Clark Cross regarding the overpopulation of the planet by one single species – humans.

It is saddening to watch nature television programmes in which so many species are now classed as in danger of extinction, due to loss of habitat from intensive farming methods, being slaughtered for their body parts, and subject to continuing human encroachment. It is also sadly ironic that humans drive these species to the brink, only to then introduce captive breeding programmes to save them. What arrogance.

Every other species on the planet is simply trying to exist as nature intended, but human over-population is making it harder and harder for them.

Humans, on the other hand, are continuing to multiply, unchecked. Natural selection in our species has all but been eliminated, now that we have the medical expertise to save premature or weak babies who, in the animal kingdom, would not survive, and improved health means people are living for longer and longer.

It is surely only a matter of time before nature rights this imbalance, if we don’t take action ourselves.

Viruses are becoming more and more resistant to existing antibiotics, so will eventually mutate and flourish in our overcrowded cities, causing pandemics.

As Clark Cross points out, global wars will decimate populations as we fight over resources we currently take for granted and waste – food and water.

People say it is our “human right” to produce children, but what about every other species – and at what cost to the planet?

KATHRYN SHARP Blinkbonny Road, Edinburgh