Planet Earth is a magnificent place. In every single element of its makeup, from the massive mountain ranges to the wide spread desert lands, there are millions of species inhabiting the globe. Earth, and everything on it, was created by a chain of natural events, evolving over millions of years, slowly defining ecology to a world of natural abundance. Years into the future, nature will continue to change on its own, in ways never fully understood by humans. Consider the changes that have already taken place, such as the dinosaur era millions of years ago and their extinction. As the newcomers to Earth, people have only lived here for hundreds of thousands of years. Science has recently shown the human race is contributing to some of the changes the earth is experiencing, such as global warming. The human species, therefore, has an ethical obligation to protect the earth from harm because they are the cause for some of earth’s problems, they have the ability to cause a change, and because the earth sustains their existence.
First, the human race is contributing a great deal to the global issues by using natural resources without replenishing the source quickly and abundantly enough. We cut down millions of trees to use for lumber and paper, and it takes many years for them to grow back. During the time it takes for a forest to replenish what are its inhabitants to do? The plants and animals around the world are not damaging the environment; they have to live in an environment that is constantly being disturbed by human existence. Plants and animals are part of the ecological system suffering the effects of humanity. In “A Special Moment in History”, Bill McKibben points out how the waste from a car engine sits in our atmosphere. He says “When [gas] is burned in a car, about five and a half pounds of carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide come spewing out the back…it’s an inevitable byproduct of fossil-fuel combustion” (100) More importantly, this waste will continue to add up, and that will threaten our atmosphere that protects the planet. Humankind created and uses these items and therefore holds the responsibility to ensure these items do not destroy the earth. Plenty of consumer products have been improved in a way that is better for the environment, such as light bulbs. The newer light bulbs are more efficient by using less energy. So why are the old kind still being sold, if we have created a better way? Why is Styrofoam still being produced if we know that it is not biodegradable? It is possible to reuse materials instead of throwing them away. Take any “going green” episode on a do-it-yourself television show for example. They will actually show how to use recycled denim jeans as insulation in a home rather than fiberglass. If the human race is to live on, our way of thinking and living needs to change. If our actions are harmful to the earth or its inhabitants, we have the obligation to find a safe way to create and use our products and technologies.
Second, because the human race has the ability to recognize the state of the world and our effects on the ecosystems, it is our duty to protect what the Earth provides to us. Look at the oceans as an example. If we do not take care of our oceans they will not take care of us in return. According to Jacques Cousteau in “The Bounty of the Sea”, “For if the oceans should die…this would signal the end not only for marine life but for all other animals and planets on this earth, including man.” The earth is home to millions of species, but only one has the intelligence to realize the world around us. There are some people who believe the world will ultimately be destroyed by a massive natural disaster, and therefore do not need to concern themselves with the environment. Perhaps the most common viewpoint among the general public is there is nothing just one person can do about the global threats and therefore does not need to worry about it. This opinion is a huge threat to our global ecology because it means there are not enough people trying to make changes in the way they live. Many environmental experts have researched and evaluated what could be done in order to stop the negative effects that we see happening every day, such as the layer of smog lingering in our atmosphere. Daniel Quinn makes a powerful statement in “A New Renaissance” about the power every person has. He says, “Changing people’s minds is something each of us can do, wherever we are, whoever we are, whatever kind of work we’re doing. Changing minds may not seem like a very dramatic or exciting challenge, but it’s the challenge that the human future depends on” (85). The state of our world in 50 or even 100 years depends on today’s society understanding and using their knowledge in ways not only to nurture themselves but the earth as well. The earth was created in a natural process. Life began with the smallest of species, growing into a massive variety. This process happened on its own, without any help from us. If we are not careful our evolution surely could stop with our help.
Lastly, people must acknowledge Earth as the only planet in this galaxy inhabitable for our species at this time. Although many scientists may be currently researching other planets and moons as an alternative to Earth, right now there is nowhere else for humans to live over a sustained period of time. The human race understands this concept and therefore has the obligation to keep the earth in a livable state for as long as possible. If we do not, then our species is in danger of extinction. As E.O. Wilson states in “Is Humanity Suicidal?”:
“It was all but inevitable…that from the great diversity of large animals, one species or another would eventually gain intelligent control of Earth. That role has fallen to Homo sapiens. Unlike any creature that lived before, we have become a geophysical force, swiftly changing the atmosphere and climate as well as the composition of the world” (115).
It is important that all humans face the challenges of maintaining a healthy earth, together as a whole, while keeping an eye on the future. Everything that happens now will have effects on the environment for years to come. It is our duty to ensure that future generations do not die because there are not enough natural resources to sustain life.
There are some people who believe, to the contrary, the changes the Earth is experiencing is a natural occurrence. Perhaps they believe global warming is a natural state of events, which are the conclusion of the Ice Age. Their ultimate view would be that the species inhabiting this world will evolve based on the changing ecological state of the earth. However, in “A New Renaissance”, Daniel Quinn states, “We’re separate from the environment. The environment is out there, and we’re in here, safe and sound” (81). This is the naive way of thinking that has led to the deterioration of our ecology. Perhaps the Earth is just experiencing the end of the Ice Age, but human actions are a big contributor to accelerating this process and that is why Global Warming is a problem. As science has proven, all things are connected, one affecting another. It is unreasonable for people to believe that they do not have the capability to affect our environment with the daily decisions they make. They absolutely do – the melting northern ice caps are the proof. Everything that people do in their daily lives, no matter how small, contributes to the problem.
The earth’s natural world is home to billions of species. So far only one, humankind, has the intelligence and the means to greatly affect the health of the earth’s many ecosystems. The responsibility to maintain a safe environment falls to the entity with the most control; the human race. We have the obligation to represent all the earth’s species and do nothing to harm them. Parents teach their children to clean up after themselves when they make a mess. Should society apply the same principle to the environment? It is not as though people have the option to relocate to another world and start over again. There is only one Earth, and we get only one chance to get it right. Our future generations depend on it.
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