The term "sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction" is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of
A
Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.
B
Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.
C
Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.
D
Mankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation
1. The question asks for the context in which the term "sixth mass extinction" or "sixth extinction" is often discussed in the news.
2. The Earth has experienced five major mass extinction events in its geological past, caused by natural phenomena. The term "sixth mass extinction" refers to the ongoing extinction event, believed to be driven primarily by human activities.
3. Option (A) describes issues related to agriculture and loss of ecosystems, which is a contributing factor, but not the whole picture.
4. Option (B) describes a past extinction event (dinosaur extinction) caused by a meteorite collision and fear of a future one, which is different from the ongoing, human-driven sixth extinction.
5. Option (C) describes concerns about genetically modified crops and loss of food biodiversity, another contributing factor but not the overarching concept.
6. Option (D) accurately summarizes the major drivers attributed to the current sixth mass extinction: mankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change. These widespread human impacts are causing biodiversity loss at a rate significantly higher than the natural background extinction rate, leading scientists to label it the sixth mass extinction.