An Environmental Issue

Abria Harris
Professor H. Taylor
English 101

Roderick Frazier Nash discusses in his proposal titled "Island Civilization: A Vision for Human Occupancy of Earth in the Fourth Millennium" that humans are the main cause of the environmental issues that are present today. One environmental issue that contributes to the need for Nashs’ “island civilization” is water pollution. Although water pollution can occur naturally from events such as floods, heavy winds, and run offs, humans can also act as pollutants. Heavily populated regions are the main areas where there is water contamination in result of urban run-off. Big cities, where there are high populations and ports, are the primary sources that spread the toxin-filled water to other ports. An example of how badly contaminated water can harm large bodies of water is the Boston Harbor.

The Boston Harbor is a well-known port city that has been thriving since as early as the 1600’s. The Harbor has been through much neglect over the past few centuries; it has been used as a tea pot, as a battle ground, and as a toilet. Everything that is being mixed into the water is infecting, as well as killing, the inhabitants of the water –based ecosystems. The infected species that are used as food sources will infect the consumer, thus infecting the higher levels of the food chain. Apart from the endangering the food chain, the acid levels of the rain are altered.

Water and natural gases mix together in the air and creates rain that is low in acid. The atmosphere can’t endure all of the chemicals that are released into the air from vehicles and factories. The gases that are emitted from man-made machines causes high levels of acid in rain which, of course, produces acid rain. Acid rain has the capability of eroding metal, stone, flesh, etc.; basically almost anything that the rain comes in contact with.

            Disregarding the needs of the planet could lead to the end of the existence of the human race. Not only is the existence of mankind in jeopardy, the existence of the whole world is at risk of being completely destroyed. Every harmful (or beneficial) change to the environment has an effect on humans. Results may not be noticeable at first, but they will arise. Luckily, the government has come a long way from how situations were handled a few centuries ago. Better sewage systems have been developed and acts have been passed in order to try to maintain clean, healthy water. It is up to mankind to begin to change their habits so that the government’s attempts to preserve the world’s water resources will not be in vain.

http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/waterpollution/

Writing as "choice"

 In Bill McKibben's podcast, McKibben discusses how the government is continuing to build everywhere in the world but there isn't enough funds or space. The world isn't what it used to be and everything is being depleted. If humans continue to misuse the world's resources, there will be nothing left to use. Now scientists will have to be able to make technology that will keep everything running. Humans will also have to start substituting the natural resources will technical resources. The substitution method can be used to develop new food sources, new living arrangments, new means of transportantion, etc.

Summary of Island Civilization

In Island Civilization: A Vision for Human Occupancy of Earth in the Fourth Millennium,  Roderick Frazier Nash is trying to encourage his readers that his ideals are reasonable and beneficial. In a big portion of his essay, Nash states his opinion regarding the civilization growing beyond its limits. Nash also has quotes from famous theologians who point out facts that strengthen his argument about environmental issues. He combines facts and quotes to help confirm his opinion.

 Roderick’s idea of what the Earth will be like in the fourth millennium is somewhat frightening. I believe that his main intention is to promote his audience to imagine the possibilities that lies ahead of the world. Things could go well for Earth if humans decide to take the initiative to be responsible for their actions and help bring the world back to its, somewhat, original state. Things could also go wrong if humans continue to take advantage of planet Earth.

An important concept, in my opinion, that Nash speaks on is how humans have been bad neighbors to the world. We are all just organisms (that being humans, animals, nature, etc) that have to learn to coexist with each other and the humans are taking their newly- found authority out of hand. By “newly-found authority” I mean it has been until the recent millennium that humans have begun to use technology to try and prevent Earth for what its purpose is; destroy and renew. “Growth confused with process” is the perfect way to describe the ignorance humans have had for Earth. We, mankind, have been selfish and only mainly developing things that will benefit us, not the world. Over populated the world with humans, buildings, highways isn’t progress.  

Roderick Nash says that humans are becoming a danger to the environment mainly with overproduction, increasing populations, and war. He is trying to prove that if humans were able to live centuries ago without the technology and other mundane things then when why can’t we survive without all of the technology in this century. I, too, believe that we are our own enemies and while we are trying to be prosperous, we are killing ourselves at the same time.

Although I do understand what Nash says about humans needing to adjust their ways in order for the world to have a chance at life, I also believe that is his proposal is asking too much from mankind. I’m not saying that restoring the world can’t be done, but there would have to be a lot of changes and sacrifices. For example, the government should stop clearing so much land for highways and building. Humans have survived this long without it, so why do something about it now? It’s like a child and candy. A baby isn’t born knowing what candy is because candy is introduced to the child as it becomes able to understand that it is good and enjoyable. Candy is not a necessity to a child just as sidewalks, highways, and shopping centers aren’t a necessity to mankind. The “Island Civilization” that Nash speaks of will need humans to oblige and to change their ways.