Matt Damon stars in a new PBS special about the environment that airs tonight at 9pm, “The State of the Planet’s Wildlife“. Damon warns about the coming “sixth extinction” that is being hastened by human overconsumption and the rapid depletion of the earth’s resources:
The earth is no stranger to such disasters, the most recent of which was the “fifth extinction” that unfolded some 65 million years ago. It resulted from an asteroid strike that sent aloft a sun-blocking cloud of ash that doomed 75 percent of the planet’s species.
This time, according to the show, the chief agent of destruction is man, who may be even deadlier than celestial bombardment.
“While there have been other extinction crises, this will be a dramatic alteration that will fundamentally threaten the future of humanity,” says Bob Cook of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Damon files disturbing dispatches from around the globe, augmented by testimony from conservationists and activists. During a visit to a teeming Shanghai market, we learn that the Chinese now consume more meat than even porcine America  one-third of the world’s output, in fact.
Many celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, and Jessica Alba drive hybrid cars and are concerned about the environment. There’s a very good, and very scary reason why.
You can do your part by reusing plastic bags, walking and riding your bike when possible, and using energy-friendly long lasting light bulbs. Every little bit does count.
Damon is known for his political activism. He signed a petition for Artists United to Win without War to protest against the illegal pre-emptive attack on Iraq. He also included references to Howard Zinn’s book about everyday people exploited throughout history, “A People’s History of the United States,” in his movie, Good Will Hunting.
Damon is shown above with his wife, Luciana, who is due with the couple’s first child in June. [via]
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