The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History (Paperback) | Released: 11 May 2015

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History is a groundbreaking work of environmental science writing by Elizabeth Kolbert that examines the current biodiversity crisis and the possibility that Earth is experiencing a sixth mass extinction event. The book explores how human activities have transformed the natural world and contributed to the rapid decline of many species.

Kolbert combines scientific research, historical analysis, and field reporting to explain the five previous mass extinctions in Earth's history and compares them with the present-day loss of biodiversity. She describes the disappearance and decline of various species, including amphibians, birds, mammals, and marine organisms, showing how factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and human expansion are affecting ecosystems.

The book also traces the development of the scientific idea of extinction, from early discoveries in geology and paleontology to modern conservation biology. Through examples from around the world, it explores the relationship between humans and the natural environment and raises questions about humanity’s responsibility toward other forms of life.