I want to feast on fish all my life!
I disagree that we (humans) are somehow more important than other animals in the eyes of anything other than ourselves. I would argue, as does James lovelock, that we are of no particular significance.
In his book Gaia, James Lovelock proposes his theory that the planet earth alters its geo-physiological structure over time in order to ensure the continuation of an equilibrium of evolving organic and inorganic matter. The planet is characterized as a unified, holistic entity with ethical worth of which the human race is of no particular significance in the long run.
Transforming conditions on Earth, are also shaped through the alteration of living organisms. Lovelock describes how Algae thriving on severe cooling of the earth many thousands of years ago, multiplied to such an extreme that they formed a layer on the oceans surface, their dark colouring absorbed the suns heat, warming the Earth.
Climate Change is causing accelerated changes to Gaia and reducing diversity. How will ‘Gaia’ respond to a reduction of diversity? Will it narrow its conditions favorable to us, creating extremes the likes of which we are beginning to see today (draughts, flooding, desertification).
I do not think we should respond to Climate Change for any other reason than our own selfish desire. I do not want fish to be abundant for their sake; I want them to be available to satisfy my desire for Sushi. I do not suppose that our actions will have a registered effect on Gaia, but they will on us.
Reading
Gaia, James Lovelock
The Boundaries of Humanity, James J. Sheehan and Morton Sosna
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Artificial Natural
ReplyDeleteMaybe it’s because I’ve become more aware over the past couple of years of the changes that are occurring within our world due to climate change. Or maybe it’s because the changes seem to be happening quite suddenly.
It appears to me that recently, there have been so many instances, both on the micro and macro scale, which reflect the impact of climate change on our environment which is a closed system. There have been hurricanes, tornados, flash flooding, drought, heat waves… The list of disasters goes on. This last year has been one of the warmest Britain has seen in the last century. Throughout this last winter, the plants and flowers in my garden have been in bloom. It was a strange sight to me that Thursday morning when I awoke to a four-inch blanket of snow, with the colourful petals covered with crisp fresh snow. Even after the snow had melted, the flowers showed no sign of dying away for the winter. Have they just got hardier to the cold? Or is it now just warm enough that they didn’t need to.
The evidence of climate change is indisputable, and the responsibility of it weighs heavily upon us as a society accustomed to modern conveniences. This has been the mildest winter I have experienced in the last nine years I have been living in this country. There have been insects flying around since January-time, something which I had observed to only usually happen when the warmer months of April and May roll round. It appears that Britain is heading to have a two-season clime of mild winters and hot summers.
Some species of animals are at greater risk of extinction as a direct result of climate change. With the melting and shrinking ice caps, polar bears have to swim greater distances to find rest on stable ice floes. This puts them at risk of drowning, and they are also losing their valuable fat stores which not only insulates them but also gives them sustenance, keeping them alive. Rising sea temperatures have led to coral and aquatic creatures dying out, some evolving into new species to better cope with their environment.
Society in general need to be better educated and informed about the changes that are happening and how their actions have an impact on the environment. I think it is through some degree of ignorance that people don’t make an effort to change their ways of living; it is a common thought that one person doing little things aren’t going to make any difference on the grand scheme of things. A better knowledge and understanding of why climate change needs to be tackled now is essential, and people need to take responsibility and address their personal habits.