The Impact of Humans on the Environment The human population on the planet now tallies in at over 6 billion. Many experts believe this population may double in the next half-century, as expressed in A Special Moment in History by Bill McKibben. Humans are undoubtedly the 'rulers' of this earth, but we have not been good rulers. In fact in our years of monumental growth as a species, our relationship to our kingdom, the earth, can best be described as parasitic. A parasite is an organism that is dependent on another for its existence without making a useful or adequate return. It is not hard to see how well we fit this description. Unfortunately this definition is incomplete in our case. Not only are we dependent on the earth and are depleting her resources at alarming rates, but also we are bringing the earth to her knees by the sheer volume of our by-products; our garbage, toxic wastes and pollution. It would not take a genius to figure out that such a relationship cannot survive; yet the majority of the world's population could not care less. The Greenhouse effect, acid rain, salinization of cropland, soil erosion, falling water tables, shrinking forests, dying lakes and disappearing species are but a few of the warnings the earth has given us. In this paper I will explore one of our highly correctable misdemeanors- the litter problem, and why it is imperative that we correct our callous ways. Modern industry has been a double-edged sword for man, by producing unparalleled prosperity for "us" but at the cost of an immense strain on our environment to support it. As we advance further, our per-capita consumption increases drama... ... middle of paper ... ...e around us. Litter costs us millions of dollars every year, and surely we can change that by taking a few extra precautionary and thoughtful steps. More importantly, litter is costing us our environment by disturbing natural balances in plant and animal life. These costs of these imbalances cannot be assessed and it maybe several years before their effects are even known to us. After illustrating the adverse effects litter has on our environment, I can safely challenge anyone to give me one valid reason as to why we should not immediately stop and correct our litter problem. There is no ready solution to the problem due to its sheer magnitude. Each of us will have to undertake the responsibility of caring for the environment. Environmental stewardship is our only hope to fix these grave problems we have created.
“If you want to think about why humans are so dangerous to other species, you can picture a poacher in Africa carrying and Ak-47/ better still, you can picture yourself, holding a book on your lap” (Kolbert 266). This excerpt alone sets up the dark narrative that lies within The Sixth Extinction. It is uncomfortable to think about the impact that humans have on the environment on a global scale; however, it is nearly unbearable to recognize individual actions such as reading a book, directly contribute to the devastation of the earth.
WE THE WILLING, LEAD BY THE KNOWING, TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE UNGREATFUL, WE HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR SO LONG THAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING ANYTHING WITHOUT NOTHING AT ALL, GD!
add up to 180o and even if we have never thought about it before we
The author’s purpose for writing this argument is to depict the different motives and reasons why so many
Closer to the same reason, and some stories can prove this. We go through our life learning that
“In pushing other species to extinction, humanity is busy sawing off the limb on which it perches.” Paul Ehrlich, page
There is no hesitation when it comes to whether humans impact the global environment. However, it is questioned in whether human’s ecological footprint is either negatively or positively impacting. In clear perspective, humans share from both sides and their ecological footprint is noted towards whether it will benefit or harm the environment around them. Topics such as overpopulation, pollution, biomagnification, and deforestation are all human impacted and can harm the environment, but some include benefits into helping the world around us with solutions to their problems.
I believe overconsumption of resources is the most significant impact that human population size and growth have on the environment. As population size gets bigger, people's need of food, water and services also increases. Forests are being destroyed because of human's need of wood, different kinds of animals are getting killed because human's need of goods and food and fossil fuels are being used because of human's need for electricity and transportation. As a result, many habitats and species are lost, which impacts ecosystem a lot.
Humans are destructive. Not a lot of us think about how what we do affects the world around us. We almost act like we are the only ones on this planet. We go around polluting and destroying our world with no regard for our actions. The things that live out in the wild are paying the price for it. Every day that passes there is another animal or plant that is placed on an endangered list. This is happening at an alarming rate. Because of man’s desire to expand and conquer their surroundings, there are animals and plants that are on the brink of extinction that will not be around for our kids and future generations to enjoy if something is not done about it now. This problem has been going on for hundreds of years. There are animals and plants that can only been seen in paintings or early photography. It is because of our early ancestors that we have this problem today and we have to do more to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing forever.
“You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?”(Stone). Our environment affects us all in many different ways, just because we are all human and have different ways of adapting to specific situations, our reactions can be based upon how we were raised we have seen throughout our lives. But it is not arguable that we as intellectual beings adapt, but the next question is where does the border lie between adaptation and submission.
or more. Scientist can estimate the measurements to predict what the global warming rate will
What is an environment? The environment is all external conditions, factors, matter, energy along with living and non-living that affect a living organism or another specified system. There are definitely a lot of problems going on within our environment due to the abuse by humans. Many of the problems associated by the abuse of humans within the environment are serious issues that need to be taken care of right away. Some of these issues can range from just throwing a used can of soda on the ground to the giant oil spills in our oceans. Plus, these issues cost our local governments over $1 billion dollars per year. Instead, the money spent can be used to make our environment healthier and cleaner for everyone.
because it gives me security and comfort. I know that the decisions that I make