Our planet and the creatures on it are diminishing, quickly. It's our fault. Are we going to do something about it?

CNN recently reported that our planet is on the verge of a sixth mass extinction in which three quarters of all species on Earth could vanish. Species are currently going extinct at a rate that's almost 100 times higher than normal.

After extensive research, CNN found five main causes of this looming mass extinction: climate change, agriculture, wildlife crime, pollution and disease. The kicker? All of these causes have happened and are happening at the hands of humans. We are directly causing the destruction of our planet and those who inhabit it. And we need to do something about it. Anthony Barnosky, a professor at UC Berkeley with a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, estimates that we have a short window of 10-20 years to make significant progress. If we don't, it will be too late to recover from our actions and this mass extinction will happen.

If we act quickly, experts say that we have the tools that we need to stop this crisis. There are known solutions that we can take on. For example, we can stop using fossil fuels and switch, quickly, to clean energy sources. We can protect half of the planet's surface, so that it cannot be used for farmland. To protect wildlife from the crimes against them, we can reject ivory or other wildlife products.

There are steps that we can take, but currently, it feels as though a wave of apathy towards the health of our planet has smothered the human race. Why don't we care? Why don't we care enough to make big changes?

To those who don't believe that climate change is real (this is an argument for another day): you cannot refute that animals are going extinct, that we are polluting our oceans, and that humans are encroaching on natural habitats.

To those who don't believe that humans are the cause of global warming: fine, science disagrees, but fine. But regardless of the cause, our earth and those on it are suffering. No matter the cause, wouldn't you want to help prevent the irreversible effects?

Finally, to those who recognize this threat but do not feel compelled to make a change; to those who feel as if they have no power to make a difference: do something. We will never know for sure if we can stop this if we don't try. To sit idly by rather than act because we feel as if our fate is set is irresponsible and highlights the indifference to which humans too often succumb. We need to act.

Do not buy wildlife products, limit your energy use, use clean energy sources whenever possible, recycle and, most importantly, push for wide-scale reform. Advocate for legislative change to protect our planet and our wildlife. Recognize that this problem is your problem, and take steps to mend it. Acknowledge your role in this.

Ten to twenty years is all we've got to make a change. It's our responsibility.