Extinction. That is something that happens to other life forms, but not to humans, right? Plants can become extinct. Animals can become extinct. But not us, we're different, special, created by God in his image. That is what most people believe. Dinosaurs probably believed they would never become extinct, yet they did. 
    What we need to think about is why we should or shouldn't become extinct. The major thing to consider in that regard is how do we benefit the planet and do the benefits we provide outweigh the detriments. The benefits? I really can't think of any way in which we are a benefit to the planet. If you can, I'd be glad to hear about it. I can think of many ways that we are a detriment to the planet and every other live form on it and to each other as well. We consume natural resources at an alarming rate with no concern for future generations. We make little effort to make our techno toys in such a way that they can be easily recycled when we decide a few weeks after buying them that we have to replace them with the newest model. We like to claim that we are cleaning up the environment, but what we are really doing is creating pollution at a lesser rate than previously.
     It doesn't really add up to a race worth saving from extinction, but we do have one hope. The one thing that can save us is if we choose to back off from materialism and embrace the spiritual. If we develop into spiritually enlightened beings, we become a benefit to ourselves, our planet, to God and to the whole universe. If we refuse to do that, then we are expendable.