Many human beings do not appreciate the beauty and value of nature's resources. As time grows, so does the population of humans which will lead to an increase of peoples' wantings and needs. To live sustainably, a socitey must use their natural resources wisely and effectively. However, todays environment is slowly being consumed and negtively affected by humans themselves who are exploiting natural resources such as natural gas, oil, coal, and forests, at a pace faster than they can replenish.
Humans wantings have became their priority rather than their needs. When it comes to powering and generating objects such as vehicles, stoves, or for heating, people take the easy way out by constantly extracting natural gases and oil and mining coal from earth. If a person today used the idea of cavemans using sticks and rocks to create fire, earth would still be flourished with natural resources like natural gas, oil, and coal. Although, the people of today are more modern and relies on modern technology that has helped advanced the use of powering and generating objects. Oil can be refined into many different energy products like gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil. It also provides base materials for plastics, is a source of industrial chemicals, and burns cleaner with 50% less sulfur dioxide. Natural gas is the by product of oil and is used for heating, cooking and powering cars. Coal is mainly used for power generation and produces over 50% of the U.S. electric productions. All three sources are inexpensive and are very useful. Little do many people realize that those natural resources will eventually run out until they can renew and restore themselves, which will take years.
An article from the website Msnbc.com, "How Long Will the World's Oil Last?" discusses about the production peaks that may cause significant dire for the economy. From Princeton University, geologist Kenneth Deffeyes, states, "The worry is whether there is something worse than the Great Depression of the 1930s waiting for us — particularly that the United States gets heavily hurt because we burn a quarter of the world’s oil..."(http://www.msnbc.msn.com). Today, the global demand for oil is more than 80 million barrels per day. At that rate, the world production of oil is reaching its peak and there will come a point where those resources will be depleted. From Merrill textbook Science Connections Annotated Teacher’s Version, writer Ralph M. Feather states, "At the present rate of use, it is estimated that coal reserves will last 200 more years. Petroleum may run out in 20 to 30 years, and natural gas may last only another 70 years"(http://rayharvey.org). Poeple are surviving in man made disasters and are not aware of it. Who else can they blame? And if more people were to know about those estimated numbers, they have a choice of doing something about it instead of continuing this sort of problem.
Not only is the amount of eploiting natural gas, oil, and coal exceeding, but also forests are being swallowed up for the wantings of societies. People demand for wood and land for creating, constuctioning and agriculture use. Woods are being used for building houses, furnitures, supplies, fire, etc. Land is needed for the base of homes, buildings, and to grow crops for profit. One of the process in deforestration was the method of Clear Cutting. Today, people have realized that the method of clear cutting may lead to the loss of biodiversity as well as the loss of important tropical rain forests.
Rainforests play a major role in human lives and tends the need of people. From one specific website, the creator mentions about the importances of a rainforest stating that, "These resources have included basic food supplies, clothing, shelter, fuel, spices, industrial raw materials, and medicine for all those who have lived in the majesty of the forest"(http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm). The creator then states that, "...more than 200,000 acres of rainforest are burned every day...150 acres lost every minute of every day, and 78 million acres lost every year...More than 20 percent of the Amazon rainforest is already gone". If this rate of destruction continues, there will be no more Amazon in the next 50 years or so. That will lead to terrible consequences. Another website mentions, "The main aspects of the situation are: serious shortages in the supply of industrial wood; ..erosion and floods accompanying the stripping of forests..;..shortages of fuel wood..; the spread of desert conditions.." (http://www.eionet.europa.eu). These consequences of deforestation will cause problems such as more air and water pollution, diseases, and an increase of global warming. There is still time to give attention to these issues before earth is completely destroyed by humans themselves.
There are pros and cons to exploiting natural resources. What is great about it is that exploiting natural resources is good for the economy (profit wise). It allows the economy to grow in businesses and helps in living the daily life. What is negative about exploiting natural resources is that the growth of demand can not match the growing pace of the natural resources. Nature's offering should be used wisely and efficiently. Greediness overpowers the human mind putting peoples wants before needs. They are endangering the environment and themselves. Humans must sacrafice a little it in order for natural resources regenerate and for them to live fulfilled and longer lives. It's not too late for change and to discover better.
No comments:
Post a Comment