Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, authorSimon and Schuster, publisher2021-09-212021-09-211995Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, Endangered Species and Biodiversity, volume 2, pages 671-75, Encyclopedia of Bioethics, Revised Edition, Warren T. Reich, ed. (New York: Macmillan Library Reference, Simon and Schuster, 1995).https://hdl.handle.net/10217/233922Includes bibliographical references.Was republished with title: Endangered Species and Biodiversity: Ethical Issues, pages 748-752, volume 2, in Encyclopedia of Bioethics, 3rd ed., 3rd ed. Stephen G. Post, Editor-in-Chief (New York: Macmillan Reference/Thomson Gale, 2004).Reliable estimates are that about 20 percent of Earth's species may be lost within a few decades, about evenly distributed through major groups of plants and animals. The United Nations at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro launched the Convention on Biological Diversity. The U.S. Congress has sought to protect species through the Endangered Species Act. Almost all inhabited lands are impoverished of their native fauna and flora. On an anthropocentric account, the duties involved are to persons; there are no duties to endangered species, though duties may concern species. There is something morally naive, about living in a reference frame where one species values everything else relative to its utility. Biodiversity is the common heritage of humankind, all nations share duties to protect it.born digitalchapters (layout features)engCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.endangered speciesbiodiversityConvention on Biological DiversityEndangered Species Actanthropocentrismduties to personsduties concerning speciesduties to speciesvaluescommon heritage of humankindText