Week 2

Humans are superior to other forms of life


I believe that humans are not superior to other forms of life. Although we are more advanced, without other species, plants and trees we would not be able to survive. “Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun (solar capital) and on natural resources and natural services (natural capital) provided by the earth” (Miller & Spoolman, 2009, p6).


Humans are in charge of the earth

I believe humans are not in charge of Earth. Human beings are more advanced than other life forms and therefore have more of a responsibility to ensure that natural resources and natural services are shared throughout the world. Nevertheless the human population is using these resources and services to their advantage. This will result in no forms of life being able to populate earth. Human beings have the ability to control this however; they use these resources and services to their advantage and not really think about how it harms the environment. (Miller & Spoolman, 2009, p8)

All economic growth is good

I believe that not all economic growth is good. Not only does it harm the environment it also effects how humans think and act. Each economy wants to be better than another which contributes to wars between countries or fights between people from a variety of different backgrounds. However, there have also been good things to come out of economic growth such as the development of new facilities for children, families and the elderly. Each country is also able to produce some type of vegetation from economic growth and build more houses. But there are still people fighting to become the better country


The value of other forms of life depends only on whether they are useful to us.

I believe that all life forms should be valued because they all help human beings some way. Without most animals, including beetles, humans would not be able to live on Earth. Earthworms, for example, have no direct use for human beings, as they are detrivores and feed on wastes or dead bodies of other organisms (Miller & Spoolman, 2009, pg 36). However, without earthworms, humans would not be able to grow plants, primary consumers would not be able to eat and so on. Even though some species may not be directly useful to us they should all be valued in the same way.


Because all forms of life eventually become extinct we should not worry about whether our activities cause their premature extinction

I believe that this is not true. Like human beings, other forms of life were created to help support life on earth. While economy grows, species are becoming instinct and will eventually lead to there not being enough supplies for anyone to live on Earth. Without certain types of species, humans would not be able to grow crops, eat food and build houses. Eventually if human cause other species to become extinct, it will lead to there being no life on Earth at all.


All forms of life have an inherent right to exist

I believe that all forms of life have a right to exist. Not only do they help other life forms to survive they also make Earth liveable. Forms of life would not be on Earth if they did not help the survival of other species. Although they may not be helpful to some species, all forms of life have a right to exist.


Nature has an almost unlimited storehouse of resources for human use

I believe that nature has a limited storehouse of resources for humans to use. All resources on Earth are placed here for all species to survive. Things such as plants, trees and fresh water are limited. However, other things, such oxygen are not limited. Although, if trees and plants are chopped down and not replaced, there will be no oxygen left. If humans abuse this, in the end there will be no resources to be used by humans or any other species on Earth.


Technology can solve our environmental problems

Technology will not solve environmental problems that humans create. To solve environmental problems there are many things that humans need to do. For example, technology is becoming more advanced each day to benefit us, if more was used to benefit the environment, there may be less problems on Earth. However, more would need to be done such as recycling and planting trees.


References

Miller, G and Spoolman, S (2009). Sustaining the Earth (9th Ed). Belmont, CA: Cengage Advantage Books