Ids 326 - Environmentalism

Justin Case

Professor Linda Smith

IDS 326

18 July 2017         

Environmentalism

        Keeping the planet safe has become a major concern in the 21st century. The threat from pollution and animal extinction has put the Earth on high alert. Many scientists are fighting back and trying to educate the public in order to prevent environmental catastrophe.  In this week’s reading Union of Concerned Scientists, World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity helps readers to meet the goal four to “increase the students’ understanding of eco-criticism the interdisciplinary study of the relationship between literature and the physical environment so that a particular body of knowledge that emerges from reading and analyzing literary/environmental texts may be

integrated, synthesized, and consolidated with reference to a set of informed, responsible

principles derived from ecology, literary criticism, language, and ethics.”

        The reading begins with a discussion of the environment’s many threats. Threats to the atmosphere include radiation, which is damaging to many life forms. Another problem in the atmosphere is air pollution. Another problem in the environment can be seen in the water resources. There is a serious water shortage in 80 countries around the world. Next, the scientists discuss the oceans destructive pressure on the oceans is currently very severe. Fisheries are collapsing; soil is eroding, waste from industrial factories and livestock is pouring into the rivers. ( 458) Forests both tropical and temperate are being destroyed rapidly. Once they are destroyed, several animal species and plant species will be distinguished as well.  The scientists state that much of the damage is irreversible. Next, there is a discussion of population issues. The Earth provides only a finite capacity to absorb wastes. At some point, probably in the near future, the Earth is going to reach is capacity for sustaining human life. At the moment, one in five people live in absolute poverty without enough food to eat and one in ten suffer from malnutrition (459)