As most of us have heard of the “On the Origin of Species”, Charles Darwin voyage of discovery has allowed of us a better understanding of biological evolution and the survival of the fittest theory. In remembrance of The Origin of Species, the Convention on Biological Diversity has celebrating the 150th anniversary in Montréal on November 24th, 2009. They discuss how Darwin’s focus was not only on the survival of the fittest but instead bout the nature of biological diversity. They recognized that ever since Darwin published his famous book, there has been an extensive 1000 increase rate of the level of species extinction. They believe that 2/3 of the ecosystems that have depleted are solely because of climate change being the most influential drivers to the issue of biodiversity loss.
In evolution, we have seen that many species compete over resources, as we compete over our limiting resources today. We have seen levels of selective advantage in order to preserve the organism, which seems “stronger” for survival and we have inherited the idea of survival of the fittest. In our years of evolution, we have seen many species. Larry Gonick reminds us what a species is. By definition he states that a species is somewhat fuzzy because various organisms are capable of mating with outside organisms and with this we have seen many different populations emerge. Many species have developed different specialized features in order have a better advantage. Take for example the species which Darwin found and recorded the different beak sizes.
But no matter how many advantageous species as we see, we are still suffering the extinction of animals. We call these endangered species, which are just the few that survived in their population. However, we cannot pinpoint one reason for their extinction. Some examples may be minimal offspring; change in diet or my best guess would be CLIMATE CHANGE AND POLLUTION. In earlier times, pollution was not an issue that was considered a priority. However, today our habits of over consumption have increased pollution at staggering rates. The industrial revolution had changed everything. Prior to the industrial revolution, we did not see rapid change however after we developed major changes. Increased industries added more smoke into the air and water. Our population growth has increased the amount of pollution we have seen.
Our level of specialization and organization has greatly emerged throughout the years, however it would not be possible without the help of our various species. Since we are an interconnected world, we greatly depend on other organisms. Other populations have allowed us to advance of level of complexity. Since the only way we can technology save ourselves in by working together we must take into consideration how much others impact us. We begin to see a depletion of biodiversity because of climate change patterns. We are experiences change in our water in urban setting, where our run-off is up to 30% more in urban settings vs. non-urban settings. And yet, we are cutting down forests in order to build many malls and call these companies “job creators” (Mate). We should probably find another name for them. We must change our patterns of pollution in order to save the other population besides humans. Although humans are held responsible for the last 100 years of climate change, we also may be responsible for the depletion of many species. End of suburbia give us several reasons why should believe that we may be the reason for pollution. We have increased our roads and highway systems in order to have a more proficient way of travel. However, this increases the amount the people are willing to travel and that amount that food in going to travel. We are still looking for a convenient way out and leading ourselves in more issues than we started with. As seen in Jevons Paradox, we are contradicting ourselves. We are trying to find a more efficient way out, and still we are proposing more issues for the future.
We are forcing various niches to grow more completion among them because of the climate change and pollution we are experiencing. Our “highly efficient” systems are causing nitrate runoff in water which in turn lead nitrate into the atmosphere and produce respiratory problems. We are losing fish (Affluenza) and adding great deals of pressure to them and ultimately hurting their environment.
How could we continue to harm other organisms if we cannot figure out how to fix our own? Our climate and pollution levels should be important to us because at the end of the day climate is local and is the most important factor in determining what will happen. Our climate allows having a batter understanding of the fluctuations we will experience. Yet, human actions tend to change the trend and have led us to a stage where it is warmer than it has ever been in the past 400 years (Muller, 19). Our levels of pollution are interfering with plant production and levels of photosynthesis and leading to the reduction of crop yields and complete ecosystem damage. Our levels of air pollution are causing damage to almost everything including our buildings, crops, roads and animals.
Another important factor is that air pollution is increasing the less of ozone damage, which is very hard to regulate. Our levels of carbon dioxide need to be circulated properly and must be controlled better. We need to decrease levels of deforestation because it is only adding to our greenhouse gases. It is unbelievable that we use to have areas full of grass and flowers and today, they are nothing but broken down forests. And although many farmers may prefer this change in climate, it is unacceptable because we will ultimately kill more than we save. Is profit of crops more important or is the survival of hundreds of species more important?
After I read a novel called 1491, written by Charles Mann, he taught a valuable lesson how " we should not set our sights on rebuilding an environment from the past but concentrate on shaping a world to live in for the future (Mann,366).We should continue our Clean Air Act of 1970, which provides greater standards for air quality, and we must continue to propose greater ideas for change.
Remember the species!
http://www.cbd.int/doc/press/2009/pr-2009-12-01-uk-iyb-en.pdf
Heinberg: Party’s Over
Cartoon Guide to the Environment: Larry Gonick
Muller- Climate Change Chapter 19
Affluenza Film
End of Suburbia Film
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