HUMANITY is conflicted over whether it is worth decimating the planet to maintain the supply of desirable consumer goods.

50 per cent of species have disappeared in the last 40 years, prompting debate over whether ecosystems are better than phones and burgers.

Office worker Mary Fisher said: “Many animals have appealing faces but if you get close to them they would probably bite you.

“By comparison my new phone is really good plus you can look at pictures of animals on it because it has the internet.

“In conclusion I think we should use the planet’s natural resources to make sleek things to go in shops, and to hell with pandas and garter snakes.”

Father-of-two Stephen Malley said: “Animals generally don’t live very long anyway, whereas stuff lasts forever. Or at least until they bring out newer, slightly cooler stuff and you have to throw the old stuff away.”