Help to prevent the extinction of species

Why shouldn't we help prevent it? Humans are the ones causeing all the pollutiona and habitat destruction that is making it difficult for species to adapt and reproduce.

Life is very versatile. While it is true that human domination of the planet kills many, many species a day, the pollution and waste is going to be a self limiting factor. Man cannot beat nature, it is simply unbeatable. Even if we make the planet so inhospitable that human race itself will be near wiped out, other life forms will still thrive, and after humans are extinct, the world will reform itself.

Given that, the only reason why we should bother to preserve species, is if it directly affects us. This can reduce even more down to "We should only preserve our own species". Why help prevent the extinction of other species? my opponent uses evolutionary adaptation in his argument. However, he assumes that evolution is not just a teleological process, but a fair process in which all living species have a right to evolve. This is severely flawed. If humans are superior species, why should we go out of our way to prevent the extinction of other species other than for our own personal gain?

Obviously my opponent has not responded, so my arguments stand. I really hope he decides to return because I don't really like winning by default.

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? could you be mine? won't you be my neighbor?

Thank you for attending this debate. See you tomorrow neighbor.