Human Impact on the Environment

HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

by Anton Antonio

March 16, 2015

The single-biggest problem of mankind today is climate change.  Although climate change and what exactly causes it is not perfectly understood by most, we all consciously admit that there is no one else to blame but us.  This is a fair start… at least we know that we are the actual cause.  But there should be a deeper consciousness in action… knowing our fault is only a part of the equation, doing something about the faults is patently more important.

Human society has progressed tremendously in the last five centuries.  Man has not only conquered new frontiers on earth but even outer space.  He has sent his technology even to the moon and has littered the atmosphere with man-made satellites.  He stepped on the moon and explored some other planets using unmanned spaceships.  He has even expored the deepest seas and abyss in his perpetual search for knowledge and possibilities.  Man, through his ingenuity, has (more importantly) also discovered ways and means to make life convenient and comfortable… more than ever, man afforded himself a better quality of life.

In man’s quest for a better life however, he also altered his environment with his technology.  But, like many aspects in nature, technology is not perfect.  As a consequence, man likewise began to pollute the air, land and seas and using up his home’s natural resources as if they were infinite and inexhaustible.  Man, in his new found success, forgot that his environment is finite and limited too.

Sustainable development is the key survival concept of man.  “There have been several definitions of sustainable development but none as the one from the World Commission on Environment and Development’s (the Brundtland Commission) report “Our Common Future” which states: “DEVELOPMENT THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ABILITY OF FUTURE GENERATIONS TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS.”  This definition of sustainable development contains two key concepts:  (1) The concept of NEEDS; particularly the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and, (2) The concept of LIMITATIONS; referring to the extent imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and futures needs.” (Antonio, 2014)

The concept of “needs and limitations” is the delicate balancing act man has to perform if he has to have positive present and future human impact on the environment.

Just my little thoughts…

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REFERENCE:

Antonio, A.C., (2014). “Sustainable Development”.  Retrieved on March 16, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/search?q=sustainable+development