On the bright side, we'll probably never learn how to live without depending on nature until we make it impossible not to, and we'll probably be better off in the long run if we learn how to keep our own environment rather than relying on these natural systems.

Alternatively, it may be that 1970-2012 was a slowing rate and we won't see such a large death of animal populations going forward.

Frankly, so long as we DO adapt well, and it doesn't come at too high a cost, I'd almost prefer the former option.