Saving Mother Earth - Coursework Example

Saving Mother Earth Saving our planet has been the main concern of the world in the past years, with the rapid climate change happening; People are more acquainted with the term "Global Warming" which refers to the effect of human activities on the climate, activities such as deforestation, burning of fossil fuel, which are believed to be the main reason behind the increased amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Facts indicates that earth has survived extreme conditions in the past, conditions such as the ice age; in this paper I will try to investigate the fundamental question , Does planet earth need saving? Or is it us humans who does? In this paper I will cite from the "UN First World Climate Conference", and the "National Geographic" article "The Effects of Global Warming on the Human Body"; this paper also look in depth into the "Biosphere 2" project, the major sealed glasshouse in Arizona; and the work of the artist Glenn Kaino, "Tank", 2014, which was inspired from real life when he learned that the US military was dropping retired tanks into the ocean, where they later eroded and were colonized by algae and coral, becoming artificial reefs. Introduction The planet earth does not need saving, but humans do due to the gradual degradation of the ecosystem that supports human life. Despite the degradation of the planet earth, it will continue to exist for many years to come. However, the sustainability of the human race, on the other hand, depends on how they safeguard their environment to support future generations. Due to mankind activities on planet earth, its ability to support living organisms continues to decline and it might reach a point where plant earth will no longer support the life of living organisms due to continued environmental degradation. As result of a gradual degradation of the environment through various human activities that pollute the air and interferes with ecology and ecosystem of the planet earth, the consequence is an increase of natural disasters that pose risks to human life. For example, global warming caused by an increase of green gasses from human activities on planet earth is the major reason for the shift in climate that causes hunger and famine in some regions (Ball 26). The heat waves evident in Europe and other parts of the world are also directly linked to the effects of global warming. In addition, global warming also leads to the rise in the sea levels and pose a danger to coastal cities around the world. On the other hand, encroachment of land also continues to destroy the chances of planet earth to support human life. Due to an increase of population across the world, people are encroaching on wetlands and forests that play an important role in supporting human life and protecting the environment. Wetlands are necessary since they provide a source of fresh water to the human race while forests protect the environment by absorbing air pollutants such as carbon dioxide and preventing soil erosion. Further, the practices by the human race on the land also impacts negatively on planet earth and sustainability of the future generations. For instance, the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers on farms results in the release of chlorofluorocarbon in the air and runoff that pollutes streams, rivers, lakes and oceans that supports aquatic life (Ball 28). This paper examines why the human race needs saving from environmental degradation and not the planet earth. Human race depends on planet earth for their survival The human race depends on the planet earth for their survival, however; their activities on the planet continue to hinder planet earth ability to sustain life in the future. Mankind from time to time has ignored the important of protecting the environment for the sustainability of future generations. In this regard, they engage in practices that continue to deplete natural resources and degrade the ecosystem that supports living organisms. The human race is driven by economic development, and this ignited both agrarian and industrial revolution that has contributed to the depletion of land and environment degradation. Through agriculture, mankind has depleted the land through the continued use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. The continuous use of artificial fertilizer impacts negatively on the soil humus and vegetation cannot grow without application of fertilizers. In addition, these fertilizers contain toxic substances that corrode the soil and the plants respectively (Callicot and Mumford 33). For instance, spraying foliar feeds on the plants leave deposits on chemicals on the crops consumed by the humans. As a result, there is increased rate of cancer, for example, globally due to the toxic substances found on crops grown using artificial fertilizers. The same fertilizers also contaminate water streams, rivers, lakes and oceans because of the runoff that occurs during rainy seasons. As a result, the aquatic life is affected and also the people that depend on such contaminated waters by runoff from nearby farms using artificial fertilizers (Callicot and Mumford 36). In addition, due to the contamination of water bodies used by mankind, the rate of waterborne diseases increases and is major cause of death in communities using rivers and streams surrounded by large tract of farms using artificial fertilizers. On the other hand, the pesticides that farmers use on their lands also pollute the air and are a major contributor of greenhouse gasses that are considered to destroy the ozone layer. Pesticides are classified under chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that also include the perfumes used by the human race. The CFCs have a negative impact on the environment in terms of the emission of greenhouse gasses that causes global warming. Other than the use of fertilizers on the soil, the human race through other farming practices such as soil fumigation also contributes to the destruction of land fertility. On the other hand, the CFCs found on pesticides are also harmful to human health. For instance, CFCs are known to cause skin problems, inhalation complications, and even cancer. With regard to the industrial revolution, the human race continues to cause more harm to the environment at the expense of embracing progressive development through industrialization. Because of the development of various industries around the world, air pollution has increased, and industries are reluctant to embrace appropriate practices in terms of waste management emanating from the industries. Some of these wastes found their way into streams, rivers, lakes and oceans that support both human and aquatic life (Vlek and Steg 6). The global warming other than having a negative impact on the climate, also causes health problems through heat waves that in extreme cases can lead to death (Bjorn). On another note, industries situated near streams, rivers or lakes have been accused of polluting the water bodies with effluent discharge from the factories. These wastewater discharges into streams and rivers used by humans and other living organism tend to have an impact on their wellbeing. In a number of locations across the world where factories are built near water bodies, high prevalence of cancer disease have been reported and investigations often link such cases to the nearby factories that contaminate water bodies with wastewater effluent. Mankind has also developed machines that pollute the air such as automobiles. Their engines are powered by fossil fuels that are considered by scientists to be a major contributor to the greenhouse gasses that depletes the ozone layer. Further, the pollution from fossil fuels also impact negatively on the health of humans and other living organisms. On another note, there are various toxic substance released into the air from the factories that result in acid rain. This is mainly is caused by the burning of sulphur -containing components in the oil, for instance. The acid rain has a negative impact on human health and plants respectively, however; its effect is more pronounced in lakes, streams, wetlands and other aquatic environments (Vlek and Steg 11). The human race activities on planet earth has also contributed to the depletion of natural resources need to support future generations. On the other hand, population explosion globally has caused people to encroach on wetlands and forests, for instance, due to scarcity of land. These wetlands are important because they provide one of the essential commodities needed to support human life and other living organism. On planet earth, access to clean or fresh water is critical because contaminated water or water containing saline causes waterborne diseases. However, in order for communities around the world to access fresh water, it is necessary for the human race to stay away from the wetlands. In addition, fresh water is used in farming and its proper management is critical to improving food security in different regions around the world (Callicot and Mumford 37). Mankind also destroys the land through deforestation thus leading to land degradation through soil erosion. The clearing of vegetation due to population explosion also leaves the land bare and causes the soil to lose fertility. This is because, when the land is bare, the top soil is swept away by wind or runoff from the rain. As such, most regions around the world that are affected by hunger and famine is because the population in that area has destroyed wetlands and the vegetation that help to sustain the soil humus (Callicot and Mumford 38). The human race also needs saving due to the increasing effects of global warming that is caused by various activities of mankind on planet earth. The human race are reluctant to reduce green gas emission and the industrial nations that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emission have failed from time to time to sign treaties meant to limit greenhouse gas emission that are depleting the ozone layer. As a result, the human race and other living organism are suffering due to climatic change caused by global warming that is linked directly to greenhouse gas emissions. Today, regions that had vegetation are now dry because of lack of rainfall. Prolonged drought in some regions continues to cause havoc to the human race in terms of hunger and famine. The rise in sea levels has affected coastal cities across the world as evident from the floods caused by Hurricane Katarina, for example. Most of the problems that are evident today in the nature are caused by mankind ignorance to protect the environment for a sustainable future. As such, the survival of human race at the moment is hanging in the balance due to the destruction on planet earth that hinders its ability to sustain living organisms. While the survival of the human race depends on embracing sound practices that can protect the environment, the planet earth, on the other hand, can survive the destruction that the human race has caused. The ignorance of the human race regarding the consequences that environmental degradation can bring to the future generation has contributed to the aimless disposal of wastes that later harm human life and other living organisms (Vlek and Steg 18). How humans can save themselves from environmental degradation The United Nations first world climate conference was held in 1979 to discuss issues related to climate change. The conference attended by scientists led to the establishment of various programs to tackle the challenges posed by global climate change. Since then, series of international meetings have been held under the auspices of WMO (World Meteorological Organization) to discuss issue concerning global climate and particularly, the concerns about global warming and the need to improve climate research and forecasting (Hufbauer 42). On another note, the human race needs saving from environmental degradation by adopting sustainable practices. The activities of mankind have destroyed planet earth but through taking appropriate measures, the human race can still survive for many generations to come. The human race needs to tackle the challenges brought by environmental degradation as a way of developing long lasting solutions. Just like Glenn Kaino “Tank 2014” discovered that the corals turned the tanks into beautiful and life-sustaining objects, the human race can also embrace practices that ensure the environment is protected from further degradation. On this note, the human race can safeguard planet earth from further destruction by embracing green leaving (Hannah). Through embracing green living, the human race will engage in practices that are geared towards sustainable development rather than destruction. There are various way that mankind can prevent environmental degradation such as the use of renewable energy sources rather than dependence on fossil fuels. Because of technological advancement, various ways of harnessing energy have been invented, and the human race needs to embrace these energy sources to protect the planet earth from further destruction. There are also farming practices that can help to protect the soil against degradation. This include farmers embracing organic farming and avoiding the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. In addition, organic farming also has health benefits and can contribute towards ensuring the wellness of human race presently and in the future (Goodland 7). On another note, embracing green living will ensure that the greenhouse gasses are reduced to manageable levels by using other sources of energy to power engines in the factories and on the roads around the world. Green living also contributes to effective practices for waste management such as recycling of waste products. Green living also ensures that communities in different regions around the world adapt practices needed for the efficient management of the environment. Governments also need to channel more resources to scientists tackling climatic change in order to improve their R&D capabilities. For example, in Arizona, the Biosphere 2 is a research center that allows scientist to study of the earth and living organisms. The survival of planet earth in terms of sustaining human life depends on discoveries in science to ensure the human race learn how to deal with various environmental challenges such as global warming, for instance and how it can be contained (O’Callaghan 44). In terms of practices embraced in different parts of the globe that are geared to protecting the environment, communities are involved in projects that aim at establishing a green future. An example in this sense includes the soil testing program in Philadelphia (“Free Soil Testing”). In addition, other communities are exploiting farming by the freeway to provide the future generation with alternatives of protecting the environment by embracing green living (Mirijana). Other ways that the human race can protect the environment involve planting more trees to help prevent soil erosion and provide vegetative cover for other living organisms. Implementation of policies meant to protect the environment by various governments across the world is also necessary. Such policies help to deal with issues such as land encroachment and management of population increase that appears to increase environmental degradation. The environmental policies implemented by governments should also ensure there is a reduction of carbon emission by ensuring that automobile us unleaded fuel, for instance (Goodland 11). On the other hand, the factories that pollute the air through carbon emission should adopt sound practices meant to protect the surrounding community and the environment respectively. This involves engaging in corporate social responsibility activities such as ensuring that the community is trained on how embrace green living, for instance. In essence, the survival of the human race depends on protecting the environment where they live. This involves how individuals dump their waste products and the source of energy they use, for example. Waste management is important in terms of ensuring that non-biodegradable products are disposed properly. On the other hand, individuals need to be economical in terms of the energy source they use to avoid the depletion of forests, for instance, in search of firewood. The survival of the human race also depends on the efficient management of other natural resources such as water, for the sustainability of the future generations (Goodland 14). Conclusion Environmental degradation because of various activities by mankind has led to numerous challenges that now threaten the very existence of human race. There is the problem of climate change that is directly linked to global warming caused by mankind activities on planet earth. As a result, there is an increase of hunger and famine in some regions around the world due to prolonged drought caused by climate change. Global warming has also resulted in the rise of sea levels that pose a risk to coastal cities around the world. On the other hand, the continued carbon emission in the air not only affects the ozone layer, but also impact negatively on the health of the human race. Food security around the world is also threatened due to the destruction of soil fertility due to a focus on inorganic farming rather than organic farming. In this regard, the survival of human race will depend on the adaptation practices meant to sustain a green future. Works Cited Ball, Jeffrey. Facing the truth about climate change. New Republic 246.1 (2015): 24-29. Bjorn, Nymoen. Global Warming. National Geographic, 28 April, 2015. Web. 28 April. 2015 < http:// education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/global-warming/?ar_a=1>. Callicot, Baird and Mumford Karen. Ecological sustainability as a conservation concept. Conservation Biologiy 11.1 (19997):32-40. Free Soil Testing. Future Farmers. 6 April, 2011. Web. 28 April. 2015 < http://www.Futurefarmers.com/soilkitchen/>. Goodland, Robert. The concept of environmental sustainability. Annual Review of Ecological Systems 26 (1995):1-24. Hannah, Stamler. Military Machines Become Coral Reefs in Glenn Kaino’s Tank. The Creators Project, 28 October, 2014. Web. 28 April. 2015. Hufbauer, Gary. Reaching a global agreement on climate change: what are the obstacles? Asian Economic Policy Review 5.1 (2010): 39-58. Mirijana, Blankenship. The Farm by the Freeway. founds. n.d. Web. 28 April. 2015. O’Callaghan, Tiffany.A biosphere reborn. New Scientist 291.2917 (2013): 41-45. Vlek, Charles and Steg, Linda. Human behavior and environmental sustainability: problems, driving forces, and research topics. Journal of Social Issues 63.1 (2007):1-19. Read More