Extinction

"An assignment I composed in Environmental Science". - Jeannette Villatoro


Extinction

We look at extinction as both a fascinating anomaly of life and a sorrowful reality. Dinosaurs are still a main interest among humans, as the mere thought of such glorious creatures existing boggles the mind. It is sad to know that they were completely eradicated from this earth; however, we also know that if they continued to exist, humans probably would not. So how do we balance the understanding that extinction is a necessary means to a point as well as a major crisis for our biodiversity?

Extinction should be a concern for all of us. Although it is a natural process, the rate in which extinction has increased is alarming (Cunningham, W., Cunningham, M., 2008). It is evident that extinction has been exasperated by the human population. With our continued molestation of our environment and the abundant resources we have been given, it is clear that we are taking a toll on most life forms that exist around us. Not only do these organisms and species have a right to maintain their natural life processes, but they are completely necessary for the cycle of life in all aspects to succeed: including humans.

But how does the human population reduce the usage of natural resources and the destruction of certain habitats and still sustain the ever-growing human population that these resources support? And furthermore, how do we change the ways in which we solicit natural resources in a manner that will not disparage the environmental ecosystems further? These are not easy question to answer, but clearly, they have been generally ignored or put aside for life as we know it to continue. Unfortunately, life has not gone on as planned, and there have been serious repercussions.

The biodiversity of our planet is what makes Earth beautiful, lively, and most importantly, functioning. Logging, milling, harsh methods of fishing, and farming have all contributed greatly to the extinction rate along with the minimization of certain habitats (Cunningham, W., Cunningham, M., 2008). All life is interdependent, and the interruption of natural processes has proved to be a vital degradation to our well being.

Perhaps it is sad to realize that maybe we won't know how difficult it will become to sustain positive environmental structures until they are disrupted so badly there is no solution. Once the spotted owl is extinct, only the shadow of his beauty will remain. But even more disturbing is the reason for his dismissal, or any other endangered species, and our direct involvement of this happening. Even the loss of seemingly unimportant organisms like phytoplankton will greatly affect life for us all. Whatever the components (as there are many) of the magic that produces this disappearing act, it is quite obvious that they must be understood and corrected before the main predictor of sustainable life on this earth is lost: diversity.

References

Cunningham, W., Cunningham, M., (2008). Principles of environmental science: inquiry and applications. McGraw Hill.