Final Exam: Biodiversity Loss, Habitat Destruction, and Habitat Loss (5)
The obstacles of biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and habitat loss are relatively new issues that stem from the expansion of human population and development. Before the expansion of the human population, humans did not have a large impact on their environment. However, as the current population pushes 7.6 billion individuals, humans are occupying a large percentage of the Earth, as well as consuming the majority of its resources. The result is a loss of biodiversity, the destruction of habitat, and overall habitat loss. The topic can be further explored through philosophies and perspectives of the social construction of nature, biophilia, indigenous knowledge, …show more content…
Under the ethics of biophilia, humankind feels the necessity to protect biodiversity and conserve nature in general. Biophilia is the psychological tendency of humankind to prefer living things (Simaika and Samways, 903). Simaika and Samways in their article, Biophilia as a Universal Ethic for Conserving Biodiversity, deny that biophilia is an innate tendency. Instead biophilia is a learned utilitarian ethic because humankind requires nature to survive. The authors argue that biophilia is a powerful tool in the conservation of biodiversity and the environment in general. For example, global climate change, sea level rise, and pollution all negatively impact human health and the ability to reproduce. Thus, humankind’s utilitarian attraction to nature can be utilized to garner support for the preservation of the environment.
Indigenous Knowledge
Biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and habitat loss can be analyzed through the perspective of indigenous knowledge. The article, Indigenous Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation, by Gadgil, Berkes, and Folke discusses the importance of indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge stems from knowledge handed down from generation to generation, which can provide valuable information on natural systems in specific areas. Therefore, this specific and valuable form of knowledge can be directly applicable to conservation of …show more content…
Garrett Hardin’s Tragedy of the Commons describes the inevitable result of unregulated use of a common resource. Under this perspective, the land on planet Earth can be viewed as one large common (ignoring political boundaries and property rights). The responsible thing to do would be to utilize the land and the resources it contains in a manner that does not degrade it. However, as the classic example of tragedy of the commons states, a cattleman who adds another cow to his heard obtains all of the economic benefit, while everyone gains the ecological degradation that occurs from overexploiting a community pasture.
Tragedy of the commons can be applied to biodiversity, habitat destruction, and habitat loss through considering planet Earth as a large common. If our resources are not used responsibility and care is not practiced in polluting the environment, then the entire common will be destroyed. Earth will lose habitat to human development, degrade habitats through pollution and global climate change, and vastly reduce biodiversity.
Property
The obstacles of biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and habitat loss are relatively new issues that stem from the expansion of human population and development. Before the expansion of the human population, humans did not have a large impact on their environment. However, as the current population pushes 7.6 billion individuals, humans are occupying a large percentage of the Earth, as well as consuming the majority of its resources. The result is a loss of biodiversity, the destruction of habitat, and overall habitat loss. The topic can be further explored through philosophies and perspectives of the social construction of nature, biophilia, indigenous knowledge, …show more content…
Under the ethics of biophilia, humankind feels the necessity to protect biodiversity and conserve nature in general. Biophilia is the psychological tendency of humankind to prefer living things (Simaika and Samways, 903). Simaika and Samways in their article, Biophilia as a Universal Ethic for Conserving Biodiversity, deny that biophilia is an innate tendency. Instead biophilia is a learned utilitarian ethic because humankind requires nature to survive. The authors argue that biophilia is a powerful tool in the conservation of biodiversity and the environment in general. For example, global climate change, sea level rise, and pollution all negatively impact human health and the ability to reproduce. Thus, humankind’s utilitarian attraction to nature can be utilized to garner support for the preservation of the environment.
Indigenous Knowledge
Biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and habitat loss can be analyzed through the perspective of indigenous knowledge. The article, Indigenous Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation, by Gadgil, Berkes, and Folke discusses the importance of indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge stems from knowledge handed down from generation to generation, which can provide valuable information on natural systems in specific areas. Therefore, this specific and valuable form of knowledge can be directly applicable to conservation of …show more content…
Garrett Hardin’s Tragedy of the Commons describes the inevitable result of unregulated use of a common resource. Under this perspective, the land on planet Earth can be viewed as one large common (ignoring political boundaries and property rights). The responsible thing to do would be to utilize the land and the resources it contains in a manner that does not degrade it. However, as the classic example of tragedy of the commons states, a cattleman who adds another cow to his heard obtains all of the economic benefit, while everyone gains the ecological degradation that occurs from overexploiting a community pasture.
Tragedy of the commons can be applied to biodiversity, habitat destruction, and habitat loss through considering planet Earth as a large common. If our resources are not used responsibility and care is not practiced in polluting the environment, then the entire common will be destroyed. Earth will lose habitat to human development, degrade habitats through pollution and global climate change, and vastly reduce biodiversity.
Property