BLOG 3
Human Domination of
Earth’s Ecosystems
It is necessary for us
to recognize the immediacy of the necessity or us to take measures to
counteract our previous actions and rehabilitate our environment and transform
our relationship from an authoritarian exploitation based relationship into a
symbiotic sustainable relationship. Although measures have started to be taken
to redirect our thought process when it comes to this relationship, we not only
have to understand what we have previously done to affect our environment but
also have a complete understanding of both the changes at the local level and
global level and their interdependent relationship.
Anthropogenic changes
can be observed in the chemical, land and ocean systems of our environment,
these changes don’t affect a single characteristic of our environment but for
example in the changes made to land to serve the purpose of agriculture have
significant effects on the biodiversity of the area transformed, which are also
affected by the water and pesticide practices, which then affect the quality of
water available to all species, we can then encounter problems of
biomagnification and bioaccumulation and so on.
Humans are the biggest
threat to the interconnected and once balanced system of our environment, and
unless we start introducing measures that positively affect all parts of ur
environment we are going to continue to lose not only the ability to benefit
and extract materials from our environment but the environment itself.
Critical Thinking:
Almost 50% of the land
surface has been transformed by human endeavours and more than half of all
available fresh water is presently being used by humans. We thus have a long
way to go before we run out of land or water. What is wrong with that statement.
Although the statement
that we have 50% of water left seems not a very extreme situation we are
failing to consider the increase iin population, increase in agriculture needs
and irrigation practices, increase in affluenza and all increments related to human
growth. Along human growth, there is the necessitites and growth of other
species In regards to land the 50% is talking about overall land when in
reality not all of land is useful and healthy enough for farming or
agricultural practices and with the imminent tide rise the amount of land
available and healthy enough is going to be much lower than 50%. When we
consider all these factors it iis that we realize the incredibly difficult
situation that we are going to be in if we don’t take the necessary measures.
Ecosystems and Human
Well-being
It is time for all
nations to come to their senses and realize the effects all our current
practices have on environment but also its relationship with the socioeconomic
status distribution around the world and how those in the lower income groups
and social minorities are affected the most by the economic, social, health and
political effects of the power and technology distribution in our global
economy.
We must ow realize the
effect of our actions and start initiatives and strategies to help us
counteract and rebuild our environment, the sooner we all start working
together the less damage we will have to repair. We must make the increase of
biodiversity in our environment, and stop taking advantage of it for purely
financial and political gain. Sustainable practices in all production and
consumption areas must be introduced, in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and
water our main priority has to be the maintenance and protection of resources
as well as introduction of technologies that positively impact all areas of our
environment and can cohesively e integrated into our societies.
Critical Thinking
Why is it difficult to
manage ecosystems sustainably?
Because of the interdependent and interconnected nature
of our environment it is incredibly challenging to implement measures whilst
measuring their effectiveness on the desired part of the environment but also
making sure that improvement measures for one area don’t have negative effects
on ono or more of the other areas.
Living Downstream: An
Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment
When it comes to the
development of diseases the discussion has been focused on whether they are
influenced by the environment or developed solely by inherited mutations. After
some research, it has been possible to deduce that environmental conditions
have a greater than previously recognized effect on the development of diseases
in particular cancer. It is necessary for us to recognize this correlation and increase
not only public awareness but also hold companies accountable for the effects
of the chemicals, pollutants and pesticides currently and previously released
into the environment, used in products as well as their persistence and their
effects on human health.
Critical Thinking
Why is it hard to tell
whether- and how much – a chemical is
carcinogenic in humans
It is incredibly
challenging because effects vary with increases in dosage, depend on the
individual, their genetic predisposition or other chemicals they come in contact
with and their interaction; and finally, the effects of biomagnification and
bioaccumulation must be considered.
Our Stolen Future
Although it has been
difficult for humans to recognize, the similarities with other animal species
go beyond that with monkeys and chimpanzees and into animals like turtles, who
have incredibly similar estrogen circulation system. It is not surprising to
find these similarities across all varieties of species because of our shared
ancestry and more importantly our shared environment. Because of our learned similarities,
it is possible to notice the effects of chemicals on animals with systems
similar to ours and use them as predictions of how they can affect humans.
Critical Thinking
What is an
environmental hormone mimic (or disruptor)?
An environmental
hormone mimic is a chemical that mimics the work done by a hormone secreted by
the body and disrupts the normal functioning of the system.
Impacts of Biodiversity
Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services
With increase in
population and demands on the environment, there has been a decrease in overall
available resources, biodiversity, and ability to recover after devastating
periods. Biodiversity is crucial to the well being of all ecosystems and our
capability of using the resources in a hopefully sustainable manner. The more
diverse the environment is, the more capable it is to not only withstand but
also recover from the human intervention. At the current levels of biodiversity
loss we are still capable of going back to a well balanced ecosystem
relationship.
By focusing on the
reconstruction of damaged areas and moving toward sustainable fishing
practices, the creation of reserves and untouchable areas we can help the
oceans recover form our actions and continue to provide us and future
generations with necessary resources.
Critical Thinking
What can we do to
prevent a catastrophic decline in ocean fisheries by the mid 21st
century?
It is necessary for us
to shift toward sustainable fishing practices that don’t deplete the popular fish
populations nor damage the ecosystems sitting at the bottom of the ocean floor.
It is also crucial for us to move on to fishing less popular species to allow
for the most affected species to reproduce and build back the population
affected by human practices. Finally, the introduction of fishing practices
that target the specific catch and don’t compromise other species is the
necessary step to take towards saving our species.
Alex Steffen´s
incredible talk shows not only that there is a lot of progress to be made but
also shows areas in which we still need to improve, for example they need to
transform cities and they way in which we live, transport, expand and consume
in them. How the introduction of locally based versions of technology in third
world countries can be the answer to some of the current developmental
problems. The unrefusable need for sustainable and green practices in
agriculture, architecture but most importantly to have them be all over the
world at varying scales instead of just in developed countries. With the
availability of technology, it has been possible for us to create incredible
opportunities and services for third world countries. The one I feel is the
most remarkable and impressive and probably has the biggest immediate effect on
livelihood is the “LifeStraw” a straw that has the capability of purifying,
removing bacteria and other microbiological contaminants in water sources,
making basically any water source safe for consumption. It is only with this
type of innovation and strategies that we will be able to rebalance the
previously unfair distribution of resources, technology and services across the
world.
Reference List
Easton, A. Thomas.(2012).Environmental
studies 4th Edition. [Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781308306490/cfi/0!/recent
TED. (2005,07).
Alex Steffen: The route to a sustainable future [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/alex_steffen_sees_a_sustainable_future
[Kids drinking with LifeStraw]. (2015, May 14). Retrieved January 05,
2017, from http://www.mintpressnews.com/this-simple-water-purifier-is-saving-lives/205611/
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