Human Impact on the Earth essays

Human Impact on the Earth essays It is a well-known fact that humans have been living and modifying the earth since the beginning of time. However, as we continue to inhabit this planet, we consciously and subconsciously destroy our precious environment with the intent of making life easier and also generating economical benefits. Yet environmentalists continue to warn us of the danger our activities present to the environment, for example: over-consumption is associated with limiting natural resources, the use of fossil fuels as causing global warming, and deforestation as a threat to the survival of all species on earth, because trees produce oxygen, a necessity for life (Durning 1992). Alan Durning (1992) blames the 1 billion meats eaters, cars drivers, and throwaway consumers of the world as accountable for the majority of the damage that humans have caused to the natural resources. The degradation of the worlds natural resources calls for a fundamental shift in how human beings relate to the natural world. The future of the earth remains uncertain due to the damaging impact that arise from individuals quest for fulfillment, economic advancement and a lack of respect for the environment. This paper will thus discuss the ideas of Aldo Leopold (2001), Alan Durning (1992 The earth is currently in an endangered state due to humans over-consumption resulting from the pursuit of fulfillment. Schmookler (1991) claims, the materialistic appetite of Western civilization serves as the engine of our environmental destructiveness (p. 17). While, Durning (2001) blames the consumer society for the deteriorating state of the world, arguing that our way of life entails an enormous and continuance dependence on the very commodities that are most damaging to the earth to produce: energy, chemicals, metal and paper(p.521). Durning also reports finding...