Measuring species loss
Are we experiencing the greatest wave of extinction since the dinosaurs? "Every hour," it has been claimed, "three species disappear." Is it possible to verify those numbers?
It has been claimed that we are experiencing the greatest wave of extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs.
"Every hour," says the Convention on Biological Diversity, "three species disappear.
Every day up to 150 species are lost."
This week's More or Less explains why it is impossible to know for sure whether those numbers are even remotely accurate.
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Broadcasts
- Sat 21 Apr 2012 22:50GMTBBC World Service Online
- Sun 22 Apr 2012 02:50GMTBBC World Service Online
- Sun 22 Apr 2012 11:50GMTBBC World Service Online
Unlock the history and truth behind the data with The OU
Explore how numbers shape, and sometimes mislead us, with The Open University.
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More or Less
Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life
