Environmental Issues
...all of the earth given resources. In fact, there are unlimited resources like wind for example. If we would start developing more energy-friendly machines, using wind energy e.g., than this would help the environment. Fortunately, we started this process already. Opponents of the thesis – we have to protect our environment more – believe that environmentalists are making too much fuss over the extinction of species. They figure that every species will die out anyways. Scientists argue “that the extinction issue is being exaggerated and that people are “crying wolf” by describing the loss of species as more alarming than it really is. History proves that every species will eventually become extinct.” In their opinion, the normal way of evolution involves the extinction of species and no human being has control. (Numrich 74) Jim Trefil also states in his commentary that species are not living forever. He points out that in the last 600 million years, almost every form of life that existed on earth has become extinct. In addition, Trefil argues that most of the tropical species being wiped out today are insects that live in very restricted locations. In his opinion, we should not make so much ado about the annihilation of insects. (80) Jon Bowmaster presents likewise the opinion of some biological theorists that contends that extinction is evolutionary, and we all have to go sometime. (83) Those against more protection of the environment debate that humans are higher than every other species on earth; therefore, they have the right to use every resources to advance economic growth. The believers of this statement have often a very Human-Centered Worldview. In their opinion, human beings as the planet’s most important and dominant species, can and should manage the planet, mostly for their own benefit. They figure that other species are here for our use. In addition, they present that human beings are in charge of the rest of nature; all economic growth is good, more economic growth is better, and our success depends on how well we can understand, control, and manage the Earth’s life-support systems for our benefit. (Miller 324) “A humans-first movement has developed.” (Numrich 89) People argue that the world is already lacking in resources, food, and adequate health care in the third world countries; accordingly, we have to set us in the first place. They also “question a law that puts the continuance of lower forms of life above man’s own survival.” (Numrich 75) They refer to the Endangered Species Act Law passed by the United States Congress in 1977 to protect endangered Species, those who may become extinct, and threatened species, those likely to become endangered in the near future. (Numrich 74) Proponents of protecting the environment more think that the rate of the extinction of species is too high. Jon Bowermaster shows in his article that the number of wildlife extinctions and endangered species is overwhelming. “In the early twentieth century, the earth was losing one species a year; today, it’s one species a day – 400 times the natural rate.” (82) Even though these wiped out species are not only “glamour” animals – like blue whales and bald eagles (which are actually staging a comeback of sorts, after a twenty-year, $25 million campaign) – they are insects and especially plants. “These plants are being eradicated weekly, many before they can even be named or studied. The tragedy in their extinction is that many hold potential cures for everything from cancer to AIDS.” In fact, twenty-five percent of today’s Pharmaceuticals in use in the USA contain ingredients extracted from wild plants. (Bowermaster 83) Furthermore, there are as many as 6,000 species disappearing from deforestation, a number 10,000 times greater than before man appeared on the planet. (Numrich 74) Should that not give us something to think about? Those in favor of protecting the environment also argue that every species is important for the planet’s ecological balance. Even though many of us cannot imagine that all the insects and bugs are useful but every species on earth has an intended purpose. Without insects, for example, birds would not have anything to eat. In addition, several insects and bugs are responsible for composting biological waste. They are helping the environment by transforming compost to nutrients and soil. For example, forests in Canada, near rivers of salmon-breeding areas, are growing faster and healthier because of the nutrients they receive through the soil. Insects and bugs are “recycling” the dead salmons into nutrients. Jon Bowermaster points out that many of the endangered species are key players in th...