Did you know that every day, approximately 150-200 species go extinct? Or, the fact that only 1% of China’s 560 million city residents breathe air that is considered safe by the European Union? No, you probably didn’t, nor did your neighbor, nor his neighbor, etc. Unfortunately, we live in an age where consumerism and making a profit out rules our moral obligations to save the planet and all of the remarkable flora and fauna that inhabit such a place. Environmental issues are always at the bottom of any legislator’s “vision for the future,” a sad, but truthful, reality all of us tree huggers have to accept.
In 100 years from now, when society looks at their landscape and wonders why it is painstakingly barren, images of our present-day society will flash into their minds. They will all think, “Why didn’t they do something about this sooner?”
Why didn’t we stop the clear cutting of forests? Every minute of every day, a portion of rainforest, the size of a football field, is cut down in order to supply enough grazing land for livestock. This livestock is then slaughtered and shipped worldwide to meet the growing demands of the meat packing industry. While the second problem is concern enough, the mere clear cutting of the rain forest is causing detrimental problems to the planet. Rainwater can no longer be properly infiltrated into the soil since there are no trees to absorb the excess water. As a result of this, the water (and all the nutrients it picks up along the way) runs off into nearby lakes and oceans. All of these excess nutrients cause immense algal blooms, of which block sunlight to the photosynthetic organisms below the surface that inhabit these ecosystems. While these minute species may not appear “necessary,” they make up the largest trophic level of the food web. So, if they disappear, the entire ecosystem is thrown off balance.
Why didn’t we stop ocean acidification? Over 90% of the Earth’s coral reefs are literally dissolving, withering away as a result of the ocean’s decreasing pH levels. This decrease is a direct result of excess CO2 in the atmosphere forming acidified water vapor, of which eventually pool into the oceans’ as acid rain. A shift of pH in any ecosystem is extremely detrimental to the metabolic pathways of any biotic species (all enzymes in an organism function under a very specific pH) but is specifically dangerous for corals. Coral species are made entirely from calcium carbonate (CaCO3), of which decalcify and dissolve when pH levels are too low, or acidic. This extreme loss of corals has widely impacted the ecosystems in which they inhabit, for corals provide shelter and food to some of the most biologically diverse and exotic marine organisms in the world. Without them, this immense abundance of life will cease to exist.
Why did we let the extinction rate increase 1000 fold? It is estimated that, as a result of natural causes (aka natural selection), a single species should go extinct every year. Humans have increased that number by almost 1000%, causing around 300 species to go extinct in a single day. While all of the problems mentioned above are direct contributors to this startling statistic, it is primarily humanity’s lack of moral respect to acknowledge that other species, besides our own-selves, actually serve a purpose. If people really did care, why does the Black Market on exotic (aka endangered) species exist? Why do poachers exist? The answer: money. Unfortunately, hunting endangered species is the only way many people in Third World countries are able to make a living. Again, it’s sad, but oh so true. The fact that humans are able to hunt a species to the point of total extinction baffles my mind… are we really that cruel of a species ourselves? At Cornell, there is a sound recording of a Kauai 'O'o bird’s last song, a song that is supposed to be a duet sung by him (the male) and his potential mate. Unfortunately, his mate was never able to respond, for he was the single last O’o bird alive.
This is why we should care. Not for ourselves, but for the Earth we are single handedly destroying. We owe it to our home, a home that has contributed an abundance of supplies and resources to aid our thriving species. Please don’t forget that without Earth, Homo Sapiens would not exist.
This not a reality in which I would want to live in or contribute to. I want future generations to look at our society with bright eyes, full of sunshine and admiration, congratulating us on our amazing conservation efforts. I want the children of the future to know what a dolphin looks like out in the wild, swimming freely without a net wrapped around its neck. I want everyone to take a deep breath of fresh air without worrying about the possible nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide that could be toxifying it. All of these things are still possible. Humanity just needs to educate themselves of why these issues matter, and why they should care. After all, a little sentimental value and hard work can go a long way.
We only get one shot at fixing this magnificent place we call home, let it not be a shot taken for granted.
XOXO.
