Question

in comparison to past estimates, extinction rates are currently high. which of the following is the most plausible explanation? humans are affecting many aspects of the global environment. continental drift is causing rapid changes in climate, which, in turn, causes extinctions. previous extinctions make survival of contemporary species more difficult. natural fluctuations in climate causes extinctions.

Explanation:

Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, over - hunting, and climate change (largely anthropogenic) have a wide - ranging impact on habitats, food webs, and species' ability to survive. Continental drift occurs over extremely long geological time scales (millions of years) and not at a rate to cause the current high extinction rates. Previous extinctions, while they can have some ecological impacts, do not directly explain the current high rates as much as human - induced changes. Natural climate fluctuations also occur over long periods and are not the main driver of the current high extinction rates compared to human influence.

Answer:

Humans are affecting many aspects of the global environment.