--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of the many species that have existed on…" description: "\"“Of the many species that have existed on earth--estimates run as high as fifty billion--more than ninety-nine per cent have disappeared. In the light ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cf/elizabeth-kolbert-7570_earth_of-the-many-species-that-have-existed-on_2841081.png" --- # Of the many species that have existed on earth--estimates… ![“Of the many species that have existed on earth--estimates run as high as fifty billion--more than ninety-nine per cent have disappeared. In the light of this, it is sometimes joked that all of life today amounts to little more than a rounding error. more than a rounding error.” quote by Elizabeth Kolbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cf/elizabeth-kolbert-7570_earth_of-the-many-species-that-have-existed-on_2841081.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cf/elizabeth-kolbert-7570_earth_of-the-many-species-that-have-existed-on_2841081.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cf/elizabeth-kolbert-7570_earth_of-the-many-species-that-have-existed-on_2841081.png) > ““Of the many species that have existed on earth--estimates run as high as fifty billion--more than ninety-nine per cent have disappeared. In the light of this, it is sometimes joked that all of life today amounts to little more than a rounding error. more than a rounding error.”” [Elizabeth Kolbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-kolbert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Most species have vanished; current life is a statistical anomaly. **In simple terms:** Life is rare. Key Takeaway Protect biodiversity now. Themes extinction biodiversity statistics Mood urgent concerned Type scientific activist When to use this quote - conservation policy - environmental education - research funding Key Concepts ecology anthropocene Questions to Reflect On - Why does rarity matter? - How can we act on this knowledge? 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