Population Matters is petitioning the Natural History Museum in London to include more information for visitors on how human beings are influencing the natural world.
The full petition reads:
Dear Sir Michael
We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Natural History Museum should use its international influence and outreach to provide the general public with the full facts about the impacts of our species upon the Earth, its biodiversity and ecosystems.
As you know, human beings have affected the Earth and the natural world in profound ways, including through global warming, ocean acidification and the disruption of natural chemical cycles. Critically, as a result of these and other impacts, we are losing species at a rate at least 100 times greater than would be the case without human influence. Many scientists refer to this crisis as the ‘sixth mass extinction’.
It is essential that the public is provided with clear, accessible information presenting the facts, communicating the urgency of the issue, and enabling people to make positive choices to mitigate the impacts. The Natural History Museum can and should meet that need. Doing so would ensure you continue to fulfil your stated mission and purpose: “to challenge the way people think about the natural world – its past, present and future. We aim to stimulate public debate about humanity’s future and equip our audiences at every level with an understanding of science.”
Thank you for considering this request.
You can learn more and sign the petition through PopulationMatters.org. Population Matters is an active MAHB Node, you can follow the group here.
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