A mass extinction is a process of drastic global biodiversity loss, whereby the majority of species on Earth die out in a relatively brief period of geologic time. This can be caused by natural phenomena, such as extreme volcanic activity or asteroid impacts, or by anthropogenic effects such as the rapid deforestation of the planet or an acceleration of human-mediated species invasions. Today, we are facing the sixth mass extinction in the history of Earth, which is primarily driven by human activity on the planet.

See also: carrying capacity, fossil fuel, climate change, great simplification, population growth