Introduction
Conservation of natural resources is a responsibility that every inhabitant of the Earth must take seriously. Our call to be good stewards of the environment is to ensure that the future generation has their share of the provisions of the natural resources. These resources are considered very limited in supply. Their limitation in supply means that their use must be as effective as possible. Proper “austerity” must be observed. This is informed by the need to ensure the sustainability of these resources. It is the collective responsibility of humanity to preserve, and conserve, these natural resources (Owen 49).
Power of influencing events
Well, the issue of environmental conservation is the responsibility of human beings. The fact that humans are the most advanced creature in terms of their cognitive development and reasoning apportions them the full responsibility to influence positively its actions as a way of conserving natural resources. A keen observation of the issues surrounding the conservation of natural resources reveals that the role of human beings in “defiling” the environment is quite huge. Human activities are regarded as the most prominent in the pollution process; this, therefore, infers that humanity has greater influence in the cessation of such activities.
Our responsibility in the conservation of these natural resources is well defined. This is because of the fact that we are heavily involved in the destruction process too. Our roles as the inhabitants of the planet are therefore cut out for us: directly influencing our acts towards a responsible interaction with our natural resources (Owen 67).
Resource exploitation: do we overwhelm these resources?
Well, it is known that the currently existing natural resources may not be able to sustain the population of human beings in the next century. The current exponential growth rate of the human population presents a very parlous scenario where the resources shall be exhausted. The carrying capacities of the existing natural resources are currently beginning to be overstretched. As it currently stands, humanity is exceedingly tapping too much of these resources without proper mechanisms for the replacement of these resources. The overexploitation of these resources means that their presence is not assured for the next generation.
The significance of these natural resources in our daily lives is not in contention. These resources provide very firm pillars to our lives. The growth and development of any society are highly dependent on the manner in which humanity exploits these resources. However, there exists a threshold for the exploitation of the resources beyond which we should not further proceed. Decency in resource management and conservation dictates that these resources are sparingly exploited. Our needs are varied, but our consciousness to preserve these resources for the sake of sustainability must go beyond our needs (Owen 55).
Redwood forest in California
Preservation and conservation of the environment do not mean “under utilization.” It simply means that our desire to support the future generation supersedes our need to satisfy the current wants. In reference to the redwood forest in California, the value of the forest currently and in the future, makes it worth preserving. Issues of logging would further defile the environment. It is also worth mentioning that there are other alternatives that can be used to get energy instead of clearing the forest.
While we must seek avenues to sustain our present lives, the impacts of our actions on our future lives must be evaluated. Clearing the forest now would have far-reaching effects in the future. The demerits of such actions would outrightly outweigh the merits. In this regard, it is conclusive to mention emphatically that the preservation of the redwood forest is more significant than the pecuniary returns expected (Owen 110).
Gulf Fish of Mexico and the offshore drilling activities
The manner in which the ecosystems are interconnected defines clearly the delicacy of interfering with the environment. The environmental ecosystem is like a stack of dice, when one is removed from the lower segment, the upper stack is likely to crumble completely. This is why there should be a need to observe utmost temperance in using the resources. The fish in the Gulf of Mexico are very important not only to the population around Mexico but also to the aquatic ecosystem in the sea around the Mexican peninsula. It beats logic why we would want to wipe them out at once. The jobs for the anglers are very important, no doubt, but the biggest worry should be; how sustainable it is in the future?
It is well known that natural resources support a large number of people in society. This is why a “pluralism” approach must be used in seeking to preserve them. The support that the fish gives to the environment is inherently more sustainable than the monetary gain by the anglers. Conversely, the offshore oil drills are not as sustainable to live as compared to the role the fish play in the ecosystem.
Work Cited
Owen, Oliver S.. Natural resource conservation: an ecological approach. New York: Macmillan, 2011. Print.