Massive Extinctions from Human Activity

http://www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions#MassiveExtinctionsFromHumanActivity
Biodiversity is an essential part of life.  Most humans know this, however they do not care enough to stop those actions that they take that cause extinctions and decrease biodiversity.  Our current extinction rate on Earth is 1000 times greater than it was before human actions started affecting the environment.  Human actions are significantly destroying the biodiversity of Earth. Here are some facts presented in the article

At threat of extinction are :

• 1 out of 8 birds
• 1 out of 4 mammals
• 1 out of 4 conifers
• 1 out of 3 amphibians
• 6 out of 7 marine turtles

75% of genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost

75% of the world’s fisheries are fully or over exploited

Up to 70% of the world’s known species risk extinction if the global temperatures rise by more than 3.5°C

1/3^rd of reef-building corals around the world are threatened with extinction

Over 350 million people suffer from severe water scarcity

If humans do not change their actions, than animals and plants will continue to go extinct and continually decrease the biodiversity of Earth.

Two-child limit imposed on some Muslims in western Burma

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-05-25/world/39518714_1_rakhine-muslims-population-growth
Although China has a one-child policy, however this isn't based on religion or ethnic groups.  In Rhakine, however, there has been a two child policy that has been implemented on Muslims.  The population of Muslims in Rhakine is extremely high and this is an attempt to control the population.  Although this is only a policy for Muslims, against a specific religious group, it is meant to control the population of Burma as most of its population is Muslim.  This can be seen as discrimination against Muslims to some, but is also seen as a form of population control to others.

At 400,000 Years, Oldest Human DNA Yet Found Raises New Mysteries

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/science/at-400000-years-oldest-human-dna-yet-found-raises-new-mysteries.html?ref=science
Recently, DNA was found that dates back to 400,000 years ago based on the fossil it was found inside.  This new discovery was originally thought to be an ancestor of the Neanderthal, but the DNA results relate the DNA to the Denisovans.  This evidence can change the whole way we look at evolution, as it shows that many different human ancestors have possibly lived on the Earth, many different variations of ancestors may have interbred and relocated.  This can change the whole way we look at evolution.  The bone was extracted through new technology that would not even have been available a year ago.  They were able to drill into the femur and obtain ancient DNA.  Scientists think there is a possibility that we may have to re-think how the homo sapien species came about and spread across the Earth, and figure out our true roots.