“the Effects of Negative Human Interaction on the Environment”
“The Effects of Negative Human Interaction on the Environment”
This essay will discuss the two prevailing theories regarding the effects that humans have on their environment. One of these theories describes negative human interaction as harmless. The other views them as the main reason for the degradation of our planet. I will define both points of view and lay out the arguments of each. I will finally argue that there is enough evidence to prove that humans are indeed responsible for the decay of our environment.
The first group of experts believes that human interaction with the planet is in no way harmful. They stand on the grounds that the planet will be able to recover from any exploitation man performs on it. Earth has an automatic system to correct itself from factors that might threaten it. This homeostatic process guarantees its existence regardless of how drastic, harmful, or negative human actions might come to be. It can correct itself through balancing any harmful changes. Earth has “automatic processes to preserve itself from changes” (Moore 45).
The evidence that supports this point of view is not very concrete. It is based on the fact that earth has experience many epochs with very bad conditions. Earth has been through periods of heat and cold. There has been global warming and ice ages. Every time, the earth “has been able to recuperate” and has emerged healthy (Moore 13). Therefore, these scientists are assuming that earth’s resilience will last forever, regardless of how extreme the conditions get. If humans continue at the rate they are going, the conditions will become extreme.
The opposite theory states that humans are causing unwanted changes in the environment through their actions. This theory has a great deal of support behind it. Through irresponsible actions such as uncontrolled pollution, extensive burning of fossil fuels, and increased development, not to mention countless others, our planet’s defensive mechanisms are being
This essay will discuss the two prevailing theories regarding the effects that humans have on their environment. One of these theories describes negative human interaction as harmless. The other views them as the main reason for the degradation of our planet. I will define both points of view and lay out the arguments of each. I will finally argue that there is enough evidence to prove that humans are indeed responsible for the decay of our environment.
The first group of experts believes that human interaction with the planet is in no way harmful. They stand on the grounds that the planet will be able to recover from any exploitation man performs on it. Earth has an automatic system to correct itself from factors that might threaten it. This homeostatic process guarantees its existence regardless of how drastic, harmful, or negative human actions might come to be. It can correct itself through balancing any harmful changes. Earth has “automatic processes to preserve itself from changes” (Moore 45).
The evidence that supports this point of view is not very concrete. It is based on the fact that earth has experience many epochs with very bad conditions. Earth has been through periods of heat and cold. There has been global warming and ice ages. Every time, the earth “has been able to recuperate” and has emerged healthy (Moore 13). Therefore, these scientists are assuming that earth’s resilience will last forever, regardless of how extreme the conditions get. If humans continue at the rate they are going, the conditions will become extreme.
The opposite theory states that humans are causing unwanted changes in the environment through their actions. This theory has a great deal of support behind it. Through irresponsible actions such as uncontrolled pollution, extensive burning of fossil fuels, and increased development, not to mention countless others, our planet’s defensive mechanisms are being
Cited: Moore, Thomas Gale. Climate of Fear: Why We Shouldn’t Worry about Global Warming. Washington, D.C: Cato Institute, 1998. Nordhaus, William D. and Joseph Boyer. Warming the World: Economic Models of Global Warming. Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2000. Spence, Christopher. Global Warming: Personal Solutions for a Healthy Planet. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. Ehrlich, Robert. Eight Preposterous Propositions. New Jersey: Princeton UP, 2003. Emmanuel, Kerry. What We Know About Climate Change. Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2007. Gupta, Joyeeta. Our Simmering Planet: What to do about global warming? Bangladesh: The University Press Ltd, 2001.