Yes, we do try to save species we know are threatened by human activities and because we have wiped out many animal species in the past. Also, as with other ki

Yes, we do try to save species we know are threatened by human activities and because we have wiped out many animal species in the past. Also, as with other kinds of problem-solving, our efforts are indeed going to include missteps and side-effects, despite efforts to minimize these. However my sense is that many of us are consumed by guilt (existential as well as environmental) and this isn't going to help us to think clearly about environmental matters. Perspective is needed! For instance, it's worth noting that (1) 99% of all the species that have ever existed were wiped out by purely natural causes, (2) only humans can possibly hope to avert the next major asteroid impact, the next supervolcano eruption, and so on.